2003 Citroën C5 · 1,402 MOT tests
2003 Citroën C5 reliability
2003 Citroën C5s fail 43.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 15 C5 years (1,402 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C5s: 28.5%)
- 43.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C5s: 28.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 116,618
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,402
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.2% of tests fail here (57% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Citroën C5
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23%
- Brakes17.8%
- Suspension16.6%
- Body, chassis and structure10.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.7%
- Tyres6.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake inoperative on one side 4.85%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 4.64%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.64%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Stop lamp not working 4.49%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.07%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.35%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.48%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (14.27%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.2%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.7%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (9.77%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.63%)
Other years
Every Citroën C5 year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Citroën C5 reliable?
2003 Citroën C5s fail 43.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 15 C5 years (1,402 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Citroën C5 MOT?
Most often parking brake inoperative on one side (4.85% of tests), position lamp not working (4.64% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Citroën C5 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Citroën C5 shows 116,618 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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