Citroen Nemo MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 15,497 MOT tests on the Citroen Nemo carried out in 2023. 43% 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 Nemos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2008 to 2018. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2011 models did best (60% passed, −2.9 points against the average for 12-year-old cars), while 2018 models fared worst (63%, −21.2 points). Tested cars had covered 99,278 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 21.8% of tests (well above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 9.5% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 15,497
- First-time pass rate
- 57%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −14.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 99,278
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Nemo?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Nemo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 165 | 63% | 84% | −21.2 points | 57,839 |
| 2017 | 492 | 64% | 82% | −17.4 points | 67,284 |
| 2016 | 1,080 | 59% | 79% | −19.3 points | 81,980 |
| 2015 | 1,817 | 57% | 75% | −18.7 points | 93,327 |
| 2014 | 1,743 | 59% | 72% | −13.2 points | 95,134 |
| 2013 | 1,555 | 58% | 68% | −10.6 points | 98,990 |
| 2012 | 1,604 | 58% | 66% | −7.1 points | 95,396 |
| 2011 | 1,365 | 60% | 63% | −2.9 points | 94,774 |
| 2010 | 2,538 | 57% | 60% | −3.6 points | 113,042 |
| 2009 | 2,540 | 54% | 59% | −5.3 points | 108,593 |
| 2008 | 596 | 49% | 57% | −8.7 points | 132,549 |
Why the Citroen Nemo fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Nemo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 21.8% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 17.1% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 10.0% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 9.5% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 6.3% | 6.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.3% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 4.9% | 3.5% |
| Steering | 2.8% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.6% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken9.5%
- 2not working8.4%
- 3has an excessively worn bush5.1%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.5%
- 5provides insufficient washer liquid3.3%
- 6has ply or cords exposed3.3%
- 7ball joint excessively worn3.1%
- 8inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.8%
- 9inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.7%
- 10not working2.6%
Common Nemo MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Nemo, 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 | 21.6% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 11.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.5% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.1% |
| has an excessively worn bush | Suspension | 4.8% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.8% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.6% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 4.6% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.2% |
Tips to help your Nemo pass
Based on where Nemos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 17.1% of Nemo 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 · 9.5% of Nemo 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.
Compare with other models
Is the Nemo ULEZ compliant? See the Citroen Nemo ULEZ check, or view all Citroen models.
Other Citroen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 15,497 first MOT tests of the Citroen Nemo 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 15,497 first MOT tests of the Citroen Nemo.
What is the Citroen Nemo MOT failure rate?
In our data, 43% of 15,497 first MOT attempts on the Citroen Nemo ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Citroen Nemo fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (21.8% of tests), lights and electrics (17.1% of tests), tyres (10.0% of tests).
Which Nemo year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2011 cars performed best: 60% passed first time, −2.9 points against the average for 12-year-old cars. The weakest was 2018, at 63% (−21.2 points).
How many miles had a typical Citroen Nemo covered at its MOT?
The average was 99,278 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2018 cars averaged 57,839 miles and 2008 cars 132,549.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Citroen Nemo?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 21.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 10.0% of Nemos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Nemo's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 15,497 Nemos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 49% to 64% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- 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 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 · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Nemo's MOT history
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