2009 Citroen Nemo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Shock absorbers2.1× usual
  Citroen Nemo

  14.8% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Citroen Nemo

  14.5% All 2009 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 3.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Windscreen2.8× usual
  Citroen Nemo

  8.8% All 2009 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.8× usual
  Citroen Nemo

  6.6% All 2009 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  Citroen Nemo

  6.2% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.3% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  53% 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.

• Tyres
  40% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  19% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Citroen Nemo 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2009 Citroen Nemo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?