CarCostCheck

CITROEN RELAY (1996)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 70 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

1905cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel1905cc30 years old70 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1905cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1905cc

£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.

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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 30 years old, 66% of CITROEN RELAYs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 70 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 103,965 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars219th of 252(top 87%)
Rank among CITROEN models555th of 599(top 93%)
vs national average-16%(82% avg)
vs 1996 cars average-9%(75% avg)
vs CITROEN average-13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

103,965

Average miles

vs

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 CITROEN RELAY has 103,965 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 63%. The 1996 sits between the two at 66%.

CITROEN RELAY by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202177%4432,620 mi
202079%10533,882 mi
201985%94054,174 mi
201885%1,24964,877 mi
201780%2,29584,158 mi
201680%2,55792,211 mi
201578%2,563101,990 mi
201476%2,030108,058 mi
201375%1,461106,366 mi
201276%1,354114,152 mi
201173%1,326123,145 mi
201073%1,428123,794 mi
200970%1,173126,729 mi
200871%1,683126,474 mi
200768%1,791125,795 mi
200668%1,341115,566 mi
200563%808106,101 mi
200466%51093,206 mi
200368%48593,245 mi
200265%32797,426 mi
200169%15782,776 mi
200064%143102,601 mi
199964%20492,161 mi
199870%10585,327 mi
199773%4895,801 mi
199666%70103,965 mi
199570%8493,461 mi
199360%43139,864 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1996 CITROEN RELAY

The 1996 CITROEN RELAY is a family car with a 1905cc diesel engine. 70 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 87% of 1996 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 103,965 miles at 30 years old, CITROEN RELAY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1996 CITROEN RELAY Fuel Costs

The 1905cc 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 1996 CITROEN RELAY?

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 RELAY Reliability Trend

Newer CITROEN RELAYs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 CITROEN RELAY

At 30 years old, the CITROEN RELAY 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 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 85%. Note: with only 70 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 CITROEN RELAY'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 104k 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.

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 1996 CITROEN RELAY stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN RELAY(1996)66%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1995)69%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2250+£193
FORD FIESTA(1998)65%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1927-£130
FIAT DUCATO(1998)71%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
MERCEDES C(1997)81%£1245£250Grp 25-38£1900-£157

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.

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Related Guides

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