CarCostCheck

Citroen Relay (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 157 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

1905cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel1905cc25 years old157 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1905cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397
Road Tax

Car rate estimate; vans are taxed differently

£275
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,427
Per month£202/mo
Per week£47/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.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

69% of MOT tests on Citroen Relays from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 157 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 82,776 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models258th of 350(bottom half)
Rank among Citroen models482nd of 589(bottom 19%)
vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)
vs 2001 models average-4%(73% avg)
vs Citroen average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,776

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Citroen Relay had 82,776 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 63%. The 2001 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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 2001 Citroen Relay

The 2001 Citroen Relay is a van. Our records list a 1905cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 157 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 82,776 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2001 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 £1,397 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 2001 Citroen Relay?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Citroen Relay Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen Relays pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 11 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2001 Citroen Relay

At 25 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%.

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

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

Medium risk

With an average of 83k 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 69% 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 2001 Citroen Relay stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Citroen Relay(2001)69%£1,397£275n/a£2,427
Renault Trafic(2002)94%£1,397£275n/a£1,927-£500
Ford Transit(2003)68%£1,676£410n/a£2,841+£414
Fiat Ducato(1999)72%£1,397£375n/a£2,327-£100

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 2001 Citroen Relay

Is the 2001 Citroen Relay reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2001 Citroen Relays ended in a pass, from 157 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Citroen Relay cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Citroen Relay?

69% of 157 MOT tests on the 2001 Citroen Relay ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 258th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (bottom half).

Which year Citroen Relay has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Citroen Relay has the highest MOT pass rate at 85% and the 2005 the lowest at 63%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Citroen Relay?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Citroen Relay is 82,776 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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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Related Guides

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