Used car guide

2009 Citroen C5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Citroen C5s, from 1,329 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,329MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,500typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Citroen C5s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.5× usual
    Citroen C5
    24.1% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.2%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Citroen C5
    21.1% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.5× usual
    Citroen C5
    10.7% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Diesel smoke emissions4.9× usual
    Citroen C5
    4.4% All 2009 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Coil springs: 6% here, against 12.4% of all 2009 cars. Exhaust system: 2.1% here, against 8.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Citroen C5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    37% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    24% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021941Tyres 28%
20205,125Tyres 30%
20196,602Tyres 30%
2010946Suspension 45%
2008878Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Citroen C5s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score