Citroen C5 (2008)

4,629 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.9% first-time pass rate

2008 Citroen C5

CarHunch analysed 4,629 real MOT records for the 2008 Citroen C5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 7.1% below UK average
72.9%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
82,881
typical mileage
65,122–103,021 middle half
35.9%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.9
avg MOT failures per car
over 13.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2008 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.
  • ⚠️ 35.9% 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 (95%) 4,395 72.8% 3.9
Petrol (5%) 234 75.2% 3.85

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 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.

65,122
low mileage
82,881
typical
103,021
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Citroen C5 vehicles fall between 65,122 and 103,021 miles.

2008 Citroen C5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 820 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% of peak).

4,120 820 2014 2025

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

13.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.9
Avg failures per vehicle
17.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Citroen C5

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 59%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 54.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 51.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 51.1%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 48.9%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 44.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 39.5%
    Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
  • 38.3%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. 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.

UK

Other model years — Citroen C5:

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2019 2020 2021