Citroen C5 common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Citroen C5?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

  Cars registered 2012–2026 · 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

  The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

  Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Common Citroen C5 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

• Number plate lights

  up to 12.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Brake pads

  up to 2.5× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

  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) joints

  up to 6.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.

  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.

• Brake discs

  up to 1.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2021.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Diesel

• Anti-roll bar link joints

  up to 2.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints

  up to 6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2019 and 2020.

  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.

• Handbrake performance

  up to 4.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

  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: pipes

  up to 0× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

  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.

• Number plate lights

  up to 13× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Sidelights

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Hybrid

• Tread depth

  up to 1.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2020.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Citroen C5 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Citroen C5 did best (66% passed first time, 2 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2013 did worst (63%, 4 points below all 2013 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Citroen C5

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

1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the Citroen C5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.2× as often on the Citroen C5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Citroen C5 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?