Is the Citroen C5 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 22,263 MOT tests, around 57% of Citroen C5s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 40% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 3%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 64% diesel, 35% petrol. Diesel C5s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol C5 in the data (2001 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 57%
- Likely charged
- 40%
- Depends on the car
- 3%
- MOT tests analysed
- 22,263
Check a specific C5
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
C5 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many C5s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant101 tested | Likely compliant103 tested | Likely compliant16 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant2,610 tested | Likely compliant2,446 tested | Likely compliant253 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant2,223 tested | Likely compliant4,447 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant104 tested | – | – |
| 2015 | Check exact car194 tested | – | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car235 tested | – | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged374 tested | Likely compliant3 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged386 tested | Likely compliant6 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged661 tested | Likely compliant3 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged1,411 tested | Likely compliant16 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged2,149 tested | Likely compliant113 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged1,431 tested | Likely compliant113 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged513 tested | Likely compliant25 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged498 tested | Likely compliant68 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged305 tested | Check Euro standard74 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged398 tested | Check Euro standard88 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged359 tested | Check Euro standard71 tested | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged234 tested | Check Euro standard74 tested | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged85 tested | Check Euro standard41 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the C5
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (64% of C5s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (35% of C5s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (petrol) (1% of C5s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
C5s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (3% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Citroen can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how C5s fare at the MOT too: see the Citroen C5 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Citroen C5 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Citroen C5s in this data were first registered between 2001 and 2021. 2019 was the most common year, with 6,670 tests (30% of the total), and half were registered in 2019 or later.
C5s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 84% of the time, at an average of 29,186 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 58% of the time with 115,461 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel C5s likely to comply are from 2016. 104 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 81% of the time and averaged 59,985 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol C5s likely to comply are from 2006. 68 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 58% of the time and averaged 115,077 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the C5's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (5.9% of tests) and "inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps" (2.6%); body and structure: "constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (4.4%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.4% of tests.
Overall, 73% of C5s passed first time, roughly in line with the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 65,517 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Citroen models
About this data
Based on 22,263 first MOT tests of the Citroen C5 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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 22,263 MOT tests say about the Citroen C5 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Citroen C5 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 57% of C5s on the road are likely compliant and 40% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol C5 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol C5s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel C5 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel C5s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific C5 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.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
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your C5 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.