Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

Citroen C5 Reliability

The Citroen C5 (current generation) scores 70/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA data.

Composite Score
70
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · latest 2024
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Buying a Citroen C5? Check its VIN history first

Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact Citroen C5 you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

carVertical is our one disclosed affiliate partner — we earn a commission if you buy a report. It doesn't affect our reliability scores, which come from TÜV, ADAC, DVSA MOT and NHTSA data.

Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2021 · 2024 report · n=31878
31,878 UK MOT tests · overall 18.8% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
70
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=19942
19,942 UK MOT tests · overall 22.3% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
69
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 31,878 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 35 yrs
71
10.6% fail vs 10.9% fleet
21,710 tests
Age 69 yrs
65
21.8% fail vs 19.2% fleet
423 tests
Age 1014 yrs
68
33.7% fail vs 32.1% fleet
3,717 tests
Age 1520 yrs
70
38.7% fail vs 38.8% fleet
6,028 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Registration plate lamp(s)
4,606
34.0%
#2
Joints
3,675
27.1%
#3
Condition
2,477
18.3%
#4
Pins and bushes
1,407
10.4%
#5
Tread depth
1,375
10.2%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

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