CarCostCheck

CITROEN C5 (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 186 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1707/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1997cc10 years old186 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,707
Per month£142/mo
Per week£33/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

84% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 10 years old, 84% of CITROEN C5s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 186 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 70,192 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars430th of 586(top 73%)
Rank among CITROEN models227th of 599(top 38%)
vs national average+2%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average-1%(85% avg)
vs CITROEN average+5%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,192

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 CITROEN C5 has 70,192 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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%. The 2016 sits between the two at 84%.

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 2016 CITROEN C5

The 2016 CITROEN C5 is a family car with a 1997cc diesel engine. 186 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 70,192 miles at 10 years old, CITROEN C5 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 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 2016 CITROEN C5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% 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 2016 CITROEN C5

At 10 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 2016 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.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

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.

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 2016 CITROEN C5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN C5(2016)84%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1707
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)91%£905£190Grp 12-25£1350-£357
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2014)79%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£112
FORD FOCUS(2018)89%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£207
AUDI A3(2015)88%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£262

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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