CarCostCheck

Citroen C5 (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 10,871 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,674

£140/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1500cc Diesel

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1,674/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Diesel1500cc6 years old10,871 tests30k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1500cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219
Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,674
Per month£140/mo
Per week£32/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Citroen brand average of 79%.

92% of MOT tests on Citroen C5s from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 10,871 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 30,371 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1205th of 2,554(top half)
Rank among Citroen models67th of 589(top 12%)
vs average of all models+10%(82% avg)
vs 2020 models average+0%(92% avg)
vs Citroen average+13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

30,371

Average miles

vs

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Citroen C5 had 30,371 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2020 Citroen C5

The 2020 Citroen C5 is a small family car. Our records list a 1500cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 10,871 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 30,371 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C5 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 Citroen C5 Fuel Costs

The 1500cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 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 2020 Citroen C5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,674 (£140/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2020 Citroen C5

At 6 years old, the Citroen C5 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 10,871 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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

Medium risk

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.

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 2020 Citroen C5 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Citroen C5(2020)92%£1,219£200Grp 12-25£1,674
Volkswagen Golf(2018)92%£1,397£200Grp 18-32£1,852+£178
Ford Focus(2019)89%£1,219£200Grp 12-25£1,824+£150
Mercedes A(2019)91%£1,219£200Grp 12-25£1,674same
Mercedes A-Class(2018)89%£1,219£200Grp 12-25£1,824+£150

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 2020 Citroen C5

Is the 2020 Citroen C5 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2020 Citroen C5s ended in a pass, from 10,871 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Citroen C5 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,674 a year (£140 a month): £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Citroen C5?

92% of 10,871 MOT tests on the 2020 Citroen C5 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1205th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (top half).

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 2020 Citroen C5?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Citroen C5 is 30,371 miles, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Related Guides

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