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CITROEN C5 (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 205 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2179cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Diesel2179cc25 years old205 tests117k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2179cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2179cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 25 years old, 64% of CITROEN C5s from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 205 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 116,552 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars332th of 362(top 92%)
Rank among CITROEN models571th of 599(top 95%)
vs national average-18%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average-9%(73% avg)
vs CITROEN average-15%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

116,552

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 CITROEN C5 has 116,552 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 64%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

CITROEN C5 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202192%2,37725,060 mi
202092%10,87130,371 mi
201989%11,83037,099 mi
201876%4642,159 mi
201684%18670,192 mi
201583%32088,761 mi
201479%40583,642 mi
201377%65396,254 mi
201277%729106,625 mi
201175%1,045113,766 mi
201072%2,297119,800 mi
200972%3,341119,720 mi
200871%2,251122,178 mi
200769%731118,303 mi
200672%827118,553 mi
200569%596119,716 mi
200472%691117,451 mi
200369%554126,405 mi
200266%426125,296 mi
200164%205116,552 mi

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About the 2001 CITROEN C5

The 2001 CITROEN C5 is a family car with a 2179cc diesel engine. 205 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 92% of 2001 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 116,552 miles at 25 years old, CITROEN C5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 CITROEN C5 Fuel Costs

The 2179cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2001 CITROEN C5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CITROEN C5 Reliability Trend

Newer CITROEN C5s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 CITROEN C5

At 25 years old, the CITROEN C5 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 CITROEN C5's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 117k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 CITROEN C5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN C5(2001)64%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2395
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£668
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2003)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£668
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2003)71%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2003)77%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Citroen Models

Explore other Citroen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Citroen C5.

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