2003 Citroen C5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Citroen C5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Citroen C5 than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Side repeaters4.6× usual
  Citroen C5

  7.9% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Shock absorbers2× usual
  Citroen C5

  12.5% All 2003 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.6% of all 2003 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.5× usual
  Citroen C5

  8.6% All 2003 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

• Handbrake performance4.3× usual
  Citroen C5

  5.2% All 2003 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

• Air/gas/fluid suspension: pipesnull× usual
  Citroen C5

  3.7% All 2003 cars

  0%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2003 Citroen C5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Citroen C5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  46% 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
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  37% 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
  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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  22% 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
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Citroen C5

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2003 Citroen C5 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Citroen C5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2003 Citroen C5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?