Mercedes-Benz Citan MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 20,197 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz Citan carried out in 2023. 37% 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 Citans passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2013 to 2020. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2013 models did best (55% passed, −13.3 points against the average for 10-year-old cars), while 2018 models fared worst (66%, −18.7 points). Tested cars had covered 88,921 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 20.2% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 11.9% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 20,197
- First-time pass rate
- 63%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −8.8 points
- Average mileage at test
- 88,921
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Citan?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Citan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,362 | 69% | 88% | −18.6 points | 49,840 |
| 2019 | 1,994 | 71% | 86% | −15.1 points | 65,461 |
| 2018 | 3,693 | 66% | 84% | −18.7 points | 73,340 |
| 2017 | 3,373 | 64% | 82% | −17.8 points | 85,914 |
| 2016 | 3,447 | 60% | 79% | −18.4 points | 95,017 |
| 2015 | 2,512 | 61% | 75% | −14.1 points | 103,134 |
| 2014 | 2,233 | 55% | 72% | −16.5 points | 113,958 |
| 2013 | 1,567 | 55% | 68% | −13.3 points | 125,495 |
Why the Mercedes-Benz Citan fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Citan | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 20.2% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 10.0% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 8.3% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 8.1% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 6.9% | 3.5% |
| Suspension | 5.3% | 8.9% |
| Steering | 3.9% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 3.1% |
| Road Wheels | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.5% | 1.0% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working11.9%
- 2constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.7%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.7%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick4.4%
- 5inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.3%
- 6does not clear the windscreen effectively4.0%
- 7ball joint has excessive play3.4%
- 8not working on dipped beam2.8%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid2.7%
- 10excessively corroded2.0%
Common Citan MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Citan, 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 | 20.6% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 12.2% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.1% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 8.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.1% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.7% |
| with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lights and electrics | 3.4% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.3% |
| ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 2.7% |
| badly distorted | Road Wheels | 2.3% |
Tips to help your Citan pass
Based on where Citans most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 20.2% of Citan 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.
Brakes · 10.0% of Citan 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.
Visibility · 8.3% of Citan 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 Citan ULEZ compliant? See the Mercedes-Benz Citan ULEZ check, or view all Mercedes-Benz models.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 20,197 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Citan 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 20,197 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Citan.
What is the Mercedes-Benz Citan MOT failure rate?
In our data, 37% of 20,197 first MOT attempts on the Mercedes-Benz Citan ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz Citan fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (20.2% of tests), brakes (10.0% of tests), visibility (8.3% of tests).
Which Citan year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2013 cars performed best: 55% passed first time, −13.3 points against the average for 10-year-old cars. The weakest was 2018, at 66% (−18.7 points).
How many miles had a typical Mercedes-Benz Citan covered at its MOT?
The average was 88,921 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2020 cars averaged 49,840 miles and 2013 cars 125,495.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Mercedes-Benz Citan?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.1% of Citans failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Citan's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 20,197 Citans in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 55% to 71% 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 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
- 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 Citan's MOT history
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