Citroen C5 (2006)
2006 Citroen C5
CarHunch analysed 3,541 real MOT records for the 2006 Citroen C5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 Citroën C5 fails its MOT first time 8 percentage points more often than the UK average, with 72.1% passing versus 80% nationally—a meaningful gap that suggests you're likely facing remedial work. More concerning, nearly a third of these vehicles (30.6%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect in their MOT history, which is well above acceptable thresholds and a genuine buyer warning.
At 83,000 miles on average, these C5s are showing typical mileage for an 18-year-old car, but they're racking up serious failure counts: 4.1 failures per vehicle and 16.1 advisories is substantial, pointing to ageing suspension, hydraulic and electrical systems that demand attention. Before buying one, factor in routine maintenance costs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on the suspension and brake system, as these are the likely culprits driving the high failure rate.
What to check before buying a 2006 Citroen C5
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 30.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Citroen C5
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (88%) | 3,112 | 72.1% | 4.11 |
| Petrol (12%) | 419 | 72.6% | 4.01 |
| LPG (0%) | 10 | 67.6% | 4.6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Citroen C5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 Citroen C5 vehicles fall between 63,609 and 104,700 miles.
2006 Citroen C5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 300 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2006 Citroen C5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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77.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50.6%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
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48.4%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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48.3%
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working
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44.4%
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen C5?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.