Van · 2008–2019 cars
Citroën Nemo reliability
The Citroën Nemo fails 41.5% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 50,053 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën Nemo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 41.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 50,053
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën Nemo ages
Each point is the share of Citroën Nemos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën Nemo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 32.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 33% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 37.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 39.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 39.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 40.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 41% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 40.4% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 42.3% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 45.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 45.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 46.9% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën Nemo years
2010 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 524 | 35.1% | 101% more fails | 48,421 |
| 2017 Nemo | 1,592 | 34.5% | 72% more fails | 59,324 |
| 2016 Nemo | 3,500 | 37.2% | 57% more fails | 76,276 |
| 2015 Nemo | 5,984 | 39.5% | 47% more fails | 87,685 |
| 2014 Nemo | 5,714 | 39.7% | 33% more fails | 91,974 |
| 2013 Nemo | 5,078 | 41% | 26% more fails | 95,540 |
| 2012 Nemo | 5,198 | 41.9% | 22% more fails | 93,670 |
| 2011 Nemo | 4,540 | 40.8% | 12% more fails | 90,489 |
| 2010 Nemo | 8,044 | 43.1% | 8% more fails | 106,793 |
| 2009 Nemo | 7,908 | 45% | 10% more fails | 102,956 |
| 2008 Nemo | 1,965 | 49.9% | 11% more fails | 130,242 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën Nemo
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 73% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension20.5%72% above avg
- Lights and electrics17.2%20% above avg
- Tyres9.5%29% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.9%73% above avg
- Brakes6.2%23% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.3%37% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.7%15% above avg
- Steering2.9%15% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.6%39% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.58% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 4.59% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 3
Position lamp not working 4.07% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.88% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.85% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.8% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Stop lamp not working 2.7% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 8
Registration plate lamp not working 2.46% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën Nemo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit19.26%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive11.42%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.26%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.5%
- Shock absorber bush slightly worn4.39%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.36%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën Nemo
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 3
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.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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
The mileage record
A typical Citroën Nemo covers about 10,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 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
- Diesel93.5%
- Petrol6.3%
- LPG0.2%
- Other0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Blue, Red, Beige
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën Nemo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Hiace | 35.4% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Master | 34.9% | about average for its age |
| Citroën Relay | 36.3% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Nemo | 41.5% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot Bipper | 41.8% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Transit Courier | 29.5% | 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz Citan | 37.2% | 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Citroën models.
Questions
Citroën Nemo questions, answered
Is the Citroën Nemo reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën Nemo is below average: it fails 41.5% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 24 of 40 van models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën Nemo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën Nemo are coil spring fractured or broken (7.58% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (4.59% of tests), position lamp not working (4.07% of tests). By area, suspension fails 20.5% of its tests.
Which Citroën Nemo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (8% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (72% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën Nemo do a year?
A typical Citroën Nemo covers about 10,500 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 Nemo 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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