Citroen C5 (2002)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 426 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 16 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Citroen C5

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1997cc24 years old426 tests125k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

66% of MOT tests on Citroen C5s from 2002 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 22 years old. That's based on 426 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 125,296 miles.

Got a Citroen C5 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 models342nd of 391(bottom 13%)

Rank among Citroen models540th of 589(bottom 9%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 2002 models average-7%(73% avg)

vs Citroen average-13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

125,296

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2002 Citroen C5 had 125,296 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Citroen C5?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 64%. The 2002 scores 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Citroen C5 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	92%	2,377	25,060 mi
2020	92%	10,871	30,371 mi
2019	89%	11,830	37,099 mi
2018	76%	46	42,159 mi
2016	84%	186	70,192 mi
2015	83%	320	88,761 mi
2014	79%	405	83,642 mi
2013	77%	653	96,254 mi
2012	77%	729	106,625 mi
2011	75%	1,045	113,766 mi
2010	72%	2,297	119,800 mi
2009	72%	3,341	119,720 mi
2008	71%	2,251	122,178 mi
2007	69%	731	118,303 mi
2006	72%	827	118,553 mi
2005	69%	596	119,716 mi
2004	72%	691	117,451 mi
2003	69%	554	126,405 mi
2002	66%	426	125,296 mi
2001	64%	205	116,552 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2003 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

73%

+7%

Honda Civic

2004 · 1686cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

+6%

Vauxhall Astra

2004 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,944/year

71%

+5%

Audi A4

2004 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,641/year

74%

+8%

Check a Specific Citroen C5

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2002 Citroen C5

The 2002 Citroen C5 is a family car. Our records list a 1997cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 426 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 13% of 2002 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 125,296 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 Citroen C5 Fuel Costs

The 1997cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2002 Citroen C5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Citroen C5 Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen C5s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2002 Citroen C5

At 24 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

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 125k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% 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 2002 Citroen C5 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Citroen C5(2002)	66%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,427
Volkswagen Golf(2003)	73%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Honda Civic(2004)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Vauxhall Astra(2004)	71%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£483
Audi A4(2004)	74%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£214

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2002 Citroen C5

Is the 2002 Citroen C5 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 2002 Citroen C5s ended in a pass, from 426 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2002 Citroen C5 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Citroen C5?

66% of 426 MOT tests on the 2002 Citroen C5 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 342nd of 391 models first registered in 2002 (bottom 13%).

Which year Citroen C5 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Citroen C5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 2001 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2002 Citroen C5?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2002 Citroen C5 is 125,296 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.