2019 Citroen C5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Citroen C5 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Citroen C5 diesel than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Number plate lights12× usual
  Citroen C5

  14.4% All 2019 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 0.4% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints6× usual
  Citroen C5

  3% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust system4.2× usual
  Citroen C5

  2.1% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2019 Citroen C5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Citroen C5 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Brakes
  23% 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
  18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  3% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 12× as often on the 2019 Citroen C5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2019 Citroen C5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2019 Citroen C5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?