Citroen Berlingo MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 189,133 MOT tests on the Citroen Berlingo carried out in 2023. 41% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 Berlingos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2006 models did best (53% passed, −3.3 points against the average for 17-year-old cars), while 2018 models fared worst (65%, −19.3 points). Tested cars had covered 89,962 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 24.4% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 15.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 189,133
- First-time pass rate
- 59%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −12.9 points
- Average mileage at test
- 89,962
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Berlingo?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Berlingo MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 339 | 76% | 91% | −14.7 points | 35,761 |
| 2020 | 13,016 | 72% | 88% | −15.8 points | 41,770 |
| 2019 | 16,200 | 71% | 86% | −14.9 points | 49,071 |
| 2018 | 14,416 | 65% | 84% | −19.3 points | 61,816 |
| 2017 | 14,012 | 63% | 82% | −19.0 points | 70,945 |
| 2016 | 14,911 | 61% | 79% | −17.2 points | 79,412 |
| 2015 | 15,699 | 58% | 75% | −17.5 points | 88,242 |
| 2014 | 15,021 | 56% | 72% | −16.1 points | 96,085 |
| 2013 | 13,095 | 55% | 68% | −12.9 points | 104,057 |
| 2012 | 10,399 | 53% | 66% | −12.6 points | 107,651 |
| 2011 | 8,775 | 51% | 63% | −11.5 points | 116,006 |
| 2010 | 8,113 | 51% | 60% | −9.7 points | 121,231 |
| 2009 | 8,990 | 51% | 59% | −7.7 points | 116,811 |
| 2008 | 6,522 | 52% | 57% | −5.8 points | 116,397 |
| 2007 | 6,494 | 52% | 57% | −5.4 points | 114,148 |
| 2006 | 6,273 | 53% | 56% | −3.3 points | 116,416 |
| 2005 | 4,684 | 53% | 56% | −3.7 points | 116,789 |
| 2004 | 4,369 | 50% | 56% | −5.9 points | 117,494 |
| 2003 | 3,544 | 51% | 57% | −5.2 points | 120,049 |
| 2002 | 2,048 | 52% | 58% | −5.5 points | 120,594 |
| 2001 | 1,169 | 54% | 59% | −4.5 points | 123,888 |
| 2000 | 541 | 50% | 61% | −10.1 points | 125,781 |
| 1999 | 245 | 57% | 62% | −5.3 points | 116,672 |
| 1998 | 171 | 59% | 64% | −4.8 points | 122,647 |
| 1997 | 72 | 58% | 64% | −6.2 points | 144,049 |
Why the Citroen Berlingo fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Berlingo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 24.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 10.8% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 8.7% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 8.5% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 7.8% | 3.5% |
| Tyres | 7.2% | 6.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 2.9% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working15.3%
- 2constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.2%
- 3inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.4%
- 4fractured or broken4.1%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.9%
- 6not working on dipped beam3.7%
- 7does not clear the windscreen effectively3.3%
- 8ball joint excessively worn3.3%
- 9less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
- 10provides insufficient washer liquid2.6%
Common Berlingo MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Berlingo, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 20.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.3% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.6% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.3% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.7% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.9% |
| incorrect colour | Lights and electrics | 2.9% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.8% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 2.5% |
Tips to help your Berlingo pass
Based on where Berlingos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 24.4% of Berlingo tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 8.7% of Berlingo tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Brakes · 8.5% of Berlingo tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Berlingo ULEZ compliant? See the Citroen Berlingo ULEZ check, or view all Citroen models.
Other Citroen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 189,133 first MOT tests of the Citroen Berlingo carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 189,133 first MOT tests of the Citroen Berlingo.
What is the Citroen Berlingo MOT failure rate?
In our data, 41% of 189,133 first MOT attempts on the Citroen Berlingo ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Citroen Berlingo fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (24.4% of tests), suspension (10.8% of tests), visibility (8.7% of tests).
Which Berlingo year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2006 cars performed best: 53% passed first time, −3.3 points against the average for 17-year-old cars. The weakest was 2018, at 65% (−19.3 points).
How many miles had a typical Citroen Berlingo covered at its MOT?
The average was 89,962 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 35,761 miles and 1997 cars 144,049.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Citroen Berlingo?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.2% of Berlingos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Berlingo's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 189,133 Berlingos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 50% to 76% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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