CarCostCheck

CITROEN C5 (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 426 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2057/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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel1997cc24 years old426 tests125k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this CITROEN C5

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 24 years old, 66% of CITROEN C5s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 426 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars353th of 403(top 88%)
Rank among CITROEN models550th of 599(top 92%)
vs national average-16%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-7%(73% avg)
vs CITROEN average-13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

125,296

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 CITROEN C5 has 125,296 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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%. The 2002 sits between the two at 66%.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2002 CITROEN C5

The 2002 CITROEN C5 is a family car with a 1997cc diesel engine. 426 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 88% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 125,296 miles at 24 years old, 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 £1,037 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 2002 CITROEN C5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2002 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.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN C5(2002)66%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
HONDA CIVIC(2004)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2004)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2004)71%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£462

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.

Check a specific CITROEN C5

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a CITROEN C5? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB