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

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 Relay?

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 Relay?

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 Relay vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

47% 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 Relay reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,029 vehicles, the 2012 Citroen Relay has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.4%, 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 Relay?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Citroen Relay are: Oil leak, but not excessive (90.3% of vehicles), Parking brake efficiency below requirements (44.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (42.7% 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 Relay?

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 Relay (2012)

4,029 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.4% first-time pass rate

2012 Citroen Relay

CarHunch analysed 4,029 real MOT records for the 2012 Citroen Relay. 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 Relay is noticeably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 72.4% against the national 80%, and nearly half of these vehicles (46.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for any buyer. This is a diesel-only cohort, so fuel type isn't a differentiating factor here.

At an average mileage of 100,725 km, these nine-year-old vans are showing their age, and they're failing hard when they arrive at the test station: owners face an average of 3.57 failures plus 17.1 advisories per MOT. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a diesel specialist focusing on the brake system and suspension, since high advisory counts on older vans usually point to wear in those areas.

The 2012 Citroen Relay has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.4% 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

72.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

46.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.57

Over 12.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

95k

Middle half: 68k–126k

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 17.1 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 4,029 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 4,029 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 90.3%

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' · …

Brake wear 44.9%

Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

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

Tyre wear 37.4%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

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

Suspension & steering 21.3%

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil

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 4,029 Citroen Relay cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Citroen Relay

Based on MOT data from 4,029 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 46.9% 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 (100%)	4,028	72.3%	3.57

Colour Breakdown

Based on 107,229 Citroen Relay vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 76.1%

81,612

Silver 7.9%

8,519

Blue 6.1%

6,565

Red 3.7%

3,959

Grey 2.1%

2,300

Black 1.8%

1,918

Yellow 1.3%

1,348

Green 0.5%

536

Gold 0.2%

180

Orange 0.1%

116

Beige 0.1%

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Citroen Relay 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.

94,744

typical

68,437

low mileage

126,192

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Citroen Relay vehicles fall between 68,437 and 126,192 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 68,437 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.

✓ 68,437–126,192 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Citroen Relays sit.

⚠ Over 170,359 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 Relay — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 60% of 2012 Citroen Relays are still active.

2,280 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 60% 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

12.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.57

Avg failures per vehicle

17.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

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

Buyer beware — pass it on