CarCostCheck

CITROEN C5 (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,045 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 7 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

Diesel1997cc15 years old1,045 tests114k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,857
Per month£155/mo
Per week£36/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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 15 years old, 75% of CITROEN C5s from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,045 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 113,766 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 2011 cars449th of 615(top 73%)
Rank among CITROEN models359th of 599(top 60%)
vs national average-7%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average-2%(77% avg)
vs CITROEN average-4%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

113,766

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 CITROEN C5 has 113,766 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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 2011 sits between the two at 75%.

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 2011 CITROEN C5

The 2011 CITROEN C5 is a family car with a 1997cc diesel engine. 1,045 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2011, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 113,766 miles at 15 years old, CITROEN C5 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2011 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 2011 CITROEN C5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2011 CITROEN C5

At 15 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 2011 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 114k 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.

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 2011 CITROEN C5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN C5(2011)75%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1857
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2013)85%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£412
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2010)74%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£262
BMW 3 SERIES(2013)85%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1577-£280

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