2007 Citroen C5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Citroen C5 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Citroen C5 diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Sidelights2.2× usual
  Citroen C5

  16% All 2007 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 14.8%, against 6.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Ball joint1.9× usual
  Citroen C5

  11.6% All 2007 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
  Citroen C5

  9.1% All 2007 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Air/gas/fluid suspension: pipesnull× usual
  Citroen C5

  3.6% All 2007 cars

  0%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2007 Citroen C5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Citroen C5 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  39% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  33% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  22% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Driveshafts and joints
  12% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Citroen C5 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 Citroen C5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2007 Citroen C5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2007 Citroen C5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?