Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Citroen Nemo?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2012 Citroen Nemo?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2012 Citroen Nemo?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2012 Citroen Nemo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2012 Citroen Nemo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,356 vehicles, the 2012 Citroen Nemo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2012 Citroen Nemo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Citroen Nemo are: Oil leak, but not excessive (74.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (55.1% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (53% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Citroen Nemo?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Citroen Nemo (2012)

2,356 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.7% first-time pass rate

2012 Citroen Nemo

CarHunch analysed 2,356 real MOT records for the 2012 Citroen Nemo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2012 Citroën Nemo falls noticeably short of the UK average with a first-time pass rate of 74.7% versus 80%, signalling below-average reliability—and that's worth knowing given that nearly 45% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point. The diesel-only powertrain offers no escape here, passing at much the same rate of 74.8%.

These Nemos have covered a reasonable 78,843 miles on average for their age, but owners should expect an average of 3.2 failures and 15.9 advisories per test, pointing to a vehicle prone to multiple issues rather than one or two critical problems. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks brakes, suspension, and steering components—the frequent dangerous defect history suggests these areas warrant extra scrutiny.

The 2012 Citroen Nemo has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.7% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

44.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.2

Over 11.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

75k

Middle half: 55k–98k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,356 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,356 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 74.6%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Tyre wear 55.1%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 42.6%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Parking brake lever has little reserve travel

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 25.6%

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken · Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,356 Citroen Nemo cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Citroen Nemo

Based on MOT data from 2,356 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 44.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (96%)	2,269	74.8%	3.18
Petrol (3%)	80	72.1%	3.83

Colour Breakdown

Based on 21,609 Citroen Nemo vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 60.7%

13,115

Grey 15.6%

3,369

Blue 12.1%

2,616

Red 8.5%

1,827

Beige 1.6%

342

Green 0.7%

142

Black 0.6%

124

Silver 0.3%

Multi-colour 0%

Yellow 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Citroen Nemo vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

74,906

typical

54,819

low mileage

97,733

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Citroen Nemo vehicles fall between 54,819 and 97,733 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 54,819 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 54,819–97,733 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Citroen Nemos sit.

⚠ Over 131,939 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Citroen Nemo — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 53% of 2012 Citroen Nemos are still active.

1,192 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 53% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.2

Avg failures per vehicle

15.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Citroen Nemo: All Nemo years → Which year to buy? →

2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Or browse all models: Citroen →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Citroen Nemo stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on