Used car guide

2020 Citroen C5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Citroen C5s, from 5,125 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,125MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,400typical miles a year
13.9×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Citroen C5s than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Number plate lights13.9× usual
    Citroen C5
    12.5% All 2020 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Citroen C5
    16.2% All 2020 cars
    9.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.6% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints7× usual
    Citroen C5
    3.5% All 2020 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

By area

The share of 2020 Citroen C5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Brakes
    24% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    4% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021941Tyres 28%
20196,602Tyres 30%
2010946Suspension 45%
20091,329Suspension 44%
2008878Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Citroen C5s registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score