Used car guide

2016 Citroen Nemo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Citroen Nemos, from 983 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

983MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
10,100typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Citroen Nemos than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Coil springs3.5× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    14.4% All 2016 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 2.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Engine oil leaks4.4× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    12.2% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Shock absorbers3× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    13% All 2016 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Number plate lights3.6× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    11.5% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Windscreen3.2× usual
    Citroen Nemo
    7.6% All 2016 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Brake pads: 4.8% here, against 10.2% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Citroen Nemo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    26% 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
    19% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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.

Looking at a Citroen Nemo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,593Tyres 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 2016 Citroen Nemos registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score