Van · 1996–2021 cars

Citroën Relay reliability

The Citroën Relay fails 36.3% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 47,603 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 39/100#16 of 40 vans

Checking a Citroën Relay before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 36.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 13% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 47,603; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Citroën Relay ages

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

Citroën RelayAll cars

Citroën Relay first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Citroën Relay	All cars
3	21.5%	12.3%
4	23.9%	14.1%
5	25.1%	16.4%
6	27.6%	19.1%
7	29.8%	22.1%
8	31.1%	25.5%
9	33%	28.8%
10	34.4%	31.8%
11	38.7%	34.6%
12	39.1%	37.3%
13	42%	39.5%
14	44.6%	41.1%
15	46.4%	42.3%
16	46.4%	42.9%
17	49.1%	43.4%
18	49.3%	43.5%
19	46.9%	43.4%
20	44.8%	42.8%
21	47.3%	41.4%
22	46.4%	40.6%
23	42.6%	38.9%
24	44.3%	37.1%

By year

The best and worst Citroën Relay years

2012 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Citroën Relay MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	222	22.1%	79% more fails	23,977
2020	649	23.7%	72% more fails	32,709
2019 Relay	1,663	20.6%	38% more fails	37,243
2018 Relay	2,217	22.4%	35% more fails	43,408
2017 Relay	4,082	28.5%	36% more fails	71,888
2016 Relay	4,518	27.8%	19% more fails	75,561
2015 Relay	4,491	29.9%	12% more fails	86,710
2014 Relay	3,515	34.4%	17% more fails	93,436
2013 Relay	2,621	35%	9% more fails	97,337
2012 Relay	2,365	34.1%	2% fewer fails	101,920
2011 Relay	2,246	40%	6% more fails	114,357
2010 Relay	2,603	40.8%	4% more fails	116,578
2009 Relay	2,078	43.8%	7% more fails	119,968
2008 Relay	3,012	42.3%	0% fewer fails	118,815
2007 Relay	3,301	47.9%	11% more fails	122,240
2006 Relay	2,713	47.5%	9% more fails	112,312
2005 Relay	1,591	51.3%	19% more fails	107,230
2004 Relay	1,071	49%	17% more fails	93,129
2003	940	44.8%	7% more fails	93,690
2002	609	47.1%	15% more fails	97,072
2001	374	43%	9% more fails	81,674
2000	304	50%	27% more fails	97,638
1999	243	39.1%	5% more fails	92,735

Common problems

What fails most on a Citroën Relay

Its weak spot is brakes: 69% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics18.5%33% above avg
Brakes13.8%69% above avg
Suspension12.3%11% above avg
Body, chassis and structure7.4%65% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.4%42% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%11% above avg
Tyres4%42% below avg
Seat belts and airbags2.3%69% above avg
Steering2%15% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.19% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
2
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.17% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.89% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.68% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
5
Registration plate lamp not working 2.44% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
6
Position lamp not working 2.36% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.1% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
8
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.08% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

Most common advisories

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

Engine oil leak, not excessive9.22%
Tyre worn close to legal limit8.01%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.86%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.76%
Brake disc pitted or scored6.19%
Shock absorber light oil misting5.59%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Citroën Relay

1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
2
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
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 Relay covers about 10,700 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

Diesel99.7%
Petrol0.3%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Silver, Blue, Grey, Red

Average engine size: 2.2 litres.

Compare

How the Citroën Relay compares with its rivals

Citroën Relay against similar models
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
Nissan Primastar	52.6%	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 Relay questions, answered

Is the Citroën Relay reliable?

On MOT results, the Citroën Relay is below average: it fails 36.3% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Citroën Relay MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Citroën Relay are parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.19% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.17% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.89% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18.5% of its tests.

Which Citroën Relay year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2019 cars do worst (38% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Citroën Relay do a year?

A typical Citroën Relay covers about 10,700 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 Relay 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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