Used car guide

2008 Citroen Nemo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Citroen Nemos, from 395 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 395 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

395MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Citroen Nemos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Headlights2× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    21.5% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 4.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Windscreen2.9× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    10.9% All 2008 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

  • Shock absorbers1.9× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    15.4% All 2008 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    8.6% All 2008 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2008 Citroen Nemo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    41% 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
    31% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    22% 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
2018146Tyres 36%
2017452Tyres 37%
2016983Suspension 38%
20151,593Suspension 43%
20141,421Suspension 45%
20131,240Suspension 47%
20121,252Suspension 44%
20111,030Suspension 48%
20102,005Suspension 51%
20091,895Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Citroen Nemos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score