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Van · 1996–2021 cars

Citroën Berlingo reliability

The Citroën Berlingo fails 41.9% of first MOT tests, 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 582,252 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 17/100#33 of 40 vans

Checking a Citroën Berlingo before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
41.9%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
37% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
582,252
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
11,500
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Citroën Berlingo van has a 41.9% first-time MOT fail rate, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 37% more MOT fails, and it ranks 33 of 40 van models. Some years are worse than others. 2006 is its best year, while 2018 is its weakest, with 93% more fails than comparable cars. Seat belts and airbags are its weakest area, with 151% more fails than comparable cars.

It can be a good buy if you check the right things. Three of its four most common failures are lamp faults: position lamp, stop lamp and registration plate lamp, so test every light before you pay. Also check the CV joint boots for splits or insecure fittings, and make sure the seat belts and airbag warning light are working.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Citroën Berlingo ages

Each point is the share of Citroën Berlingos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Citroën BerlingoAll cars
Citroën Berlingo first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Citroën BerlingoAll cars
328.6%12.3%
430.5%14.1%
534.5%16.4%
638%19.1%
740%22.1%
842.3%25.5%
944.5%28.8%
1045.5%31.8%
1146.9%34.6%
1248%37.3%
1347.8%39.5%
1448.6%41.1%
1548.7%42.3%
1648%42.9%
1748.3%43.4%
1848.8%43.5%
1949.1%43.4%
2048.9%42.8%
2148.7%41.4%
2247.1%40.6%
2347.8%38.9%
2446.2%37.1%
2539%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Citroën Berlingo years

2006 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Citroën Berlingo MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Berlingo4,93527.7%87% more fails40,558
2020 Berlingo21,91727.2%72% more fails46,530
2019 Berlingo40,76827.6%70% more fails47,534
2018 Berlingo43,80335.4%93% more fails59,534
2017 Berlingo42,24238%80% more fails70,738
2016 Berlingo48,20238.1%63% more fails74,910
2015 Berlingo51,59141.2%56% more fails83,140
2014 Berlingo49,15643.6%48% more fails91,278
2013 Berlingo43,04344.2%36% more fails99,255
2012 Berlingo34,33046.5%33% more fails102,634
2011 Berlingo28,48147.4%25% more fails111,398
2010 Berlingo26,66947.9%19% more fails117,251
2009 Berlingo29,36248.3%16% more fails112,823
2008 Berlingo21,47549%15% more fails113,200
2007 Berlingo21,26548.3%11% more fails111,873
2006 Berlingo20,35747.7%8% more fails114,585
2005 Berlingo15,03448.7%10% more fails115,176
2004 Berlingo14,20449%10% more fails116,089
2003 Berlingo11,38948.8%10% more fails116,329
2002 Berlingo6,62648.7%12% more fails115,202
2001 Berlingo3,91048%13% more fails118,585
2000 Berlingo1,72148.5%17% more fails120,370
199996747.4%21% more fails115,991
199866739.3%3% more fails111,415

Common problems

What fails most on a Citroën Berlingo

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 151% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics25.1%97% above avg
  • Suspension11.3%14% above avg
  • Brakes8.7%15% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure8.2%110% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8%62% above avg
  • Tyres7.2%6% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.7%1% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags3%151% above avg
  • Steering2.9%36% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Position lamp not working 7.55% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  2. 2

    Stop lamp not working 6.52% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  3. 3

    CV joint boot split or insecure 4.91% of tests

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  4. 4

    Registration plate lamp not working 4.12% of tests

    A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

  5. 5

    Coil spring fractured or broken 3.59% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  6. 6

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.49% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  7. 7

    Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.24% of tests

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  8. 8

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.68% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën Berlingo's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit18.12%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored8.14%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive7.98%
  • Brake pads wearing thin7.38%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.62%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.27%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Citroën Berlingo

  1. 1

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  2. 2

    Stop lamp not working

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  3. 3

    CV joint boot split or insecure

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  4. 4

    Registration plate lamp not working

    A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Citroën Berlingo covers about 11,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel94.1%
  • Petrol5.7%
  • Electric0.1%
  • LPG0.1%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Silver, Blue, Black

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the Citroën Berlingo compares with its rivals

Citroën Berlingo against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Volkswagen Transporter31.7%5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Caddy30.5%about average for its age
Ford Transit Connect36%14% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Trafic41.5%30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Partner38.1%32% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Vivaro43.6%33% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën Berlingo41.9%37% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Citroën models.

Questions

Citroën Berlingo questions, answered

Is the Citroën Berlingo reliable?

On MOT results, the Citroën Berlingo is well below average: it fails 41.9% of first MOT tests, 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Citroën Berlingo MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Citroën Berlingo are position lamp not working (7.55% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.52% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.91% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 25.1% of its tests.

Which Citroën Berlingo year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2006 cars do best (8% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (93% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Citroën Berlingo do a year?

A typical Citroën Berlingo covers about 11,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Citroën Berlingo before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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