Citroen Relay
VanFrom 90,201 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Relays fare better: 2021 models pass at 76.2% vs 62.1% for 2003.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, caused 4,184 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 4,184 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 3,749 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 3,128 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 2,987 |
| parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 2,438 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 2,016 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 1,941 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 1,782 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 1,667 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 1,659 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 21.2% of Relay failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 37.6% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £125.
Citroen Relay on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 3,088 newly registered in the past year with 2,740 leaving, a net gain of 348. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 73,451 | 13,458 | +1,177 | -527 | +650 |
| 2025 Q2 | 73,122 | 13,137 | +732 | -833 | -101 |
| 2025 Q1 | 72,982 | 13,378 | +768 | -617 | +151 |
| 2024 Q4 | 73,150 | 13,059 | +411 | -763 | -352 |
| 2024 Q3 | 74,609 | 11,952 | +816 | -545 | +271 |
| 2024 Q2 | 74,477 | 11,813 | +1,116 | -777 | +339 |
| 2024 Q1 | 73,654 | 12,297 | +1,646 | -1,519 | +127 |
| 2023 Q4 | 73,700 | 12,124 | +1,089 | -775 | +314 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relay 35 L3H2 Eprise Bhdi S/S | Diesel | 8,107 | 16% |
| Relay 35 L3H2 Enterprise Hdi | Diesel | 6,794 | 13% |
| Relay 35 L3H2 Eprise Bluehdi | Diesel | 6,174 | 12% |
| Relay 35L3H2 Eprise Ed Bhdi Ss | Diesel | 4,957 | 10% |
| Relay 35 L2H2 Eprise Bhdi S/S | Diesel | 4,595 | 9% |
| Relay 35 Hdi 120 Lwb | Diesel | 3,120 | 6% |
| Relay 35 Hvy L4H2 Ent Bhdi Ss | Diesel | 2,028 | 4% |
| Relay 35 L2H2 Eprise Bluehdi | Diesel | 1,918 | 4% |
| Relay 35 L3H2 Hdi | Diesel | 1,908 | 4% |
| Relay 35L2H2 Eprise Ed Bhdi Ss | Diesel | 1,592 | 3% |
| Relay 35 L3 Hdi | Petrol | 1,519 | 3% |
| Relay 35 L3H2 Enterprise | Diesel | 1,430 | 3% |
| Relay 30 L1H1 Enterprise Hdi | Diesel | 1,419 | 3% |
| Relay 30 100Hp Swb | Diesel | 1,177 | 2% |
| Relay 35 L3 Bluehdi | Diesel | 1,159 | 2% |
| Relay 35Hvyl4H2Eprse Ed Bhdiss | Diesel | 986 | 2% |
| Relay 35 H-Y L4H2 Eprise B-Hdi | Diesel | 943 | 2% |
| Relay 1800 Td Hdi Lwb | Diesel | 871 | 2% |
| Relay 35 Hvy L4H3 Ent Bhdi Ss | Diesel | 840 | 2% |
| Relay 35 L3 X Bluehdi S/S | Diesel | 616 | 1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 76.2% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2020 | 72.2% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2019 | 75.4% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2018 | 75.1% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |
20 earlier years
| 2017 | 74.1% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2016 | 73.2% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2015 | 71% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2014 | 68.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2013 | 68.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2012 | 69.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2011 | 67% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2010 | 64.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2009 | 65.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2008 | 65.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2007 | 63% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2006 | 62.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2005 | 57.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2004 | 61.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2003 | 62.1% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2002 | 64.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2001 | 67.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2000 | 63.3% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1999 | 73.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, audible warning inoperative |
| 1998 | 66.4% | audible warning inoperative, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
Typical mileage
Half of all Relays tested had between 75,364 and 134,896 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 98,460 median miles, the Relay has 0.03 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Citroen models
| Citroen C3 | 71.4% |
| Citroen Berlingo | 67.9% |
| Citroen C4 | 68.9% |
| Citroen C1 | 74.9% |
| Citroen Ds3 | 66.5% |
Common questions
What is the Citroen Relay MOT pass rate?
The Citroen Relay has a 70.2% MOT pass rate based on 90,201 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Citroen Relay?
The most common MOT failure on the Citroen Relay is parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, which caused 4,184 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
How many Citroen Relays are on UK roads?
There are 73,451 Citroen Relays currently licensed on UK roads, with 13,458 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Citroen Relay at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Citroen Relay is 98,460 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 75,364 and 134,896 miles.
Buying a used Relay?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 70.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £125 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Van insurance works differently to car insurance. Make sure you're comparing like-for-like quotes for your use case. Compare van insurance.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.