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CITROEN RELAY (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 808 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

63%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

63% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 19 points below average.

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Diesel1997cc21 years old808 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£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

63% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 19 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 21 years old, 63% of CITROEN RELAYs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 808 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 106,101 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars501th of 526(top 95%)
Rank among CITROEN models578th of 599(top 96%)
vs national average-19%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average-9%(72% avg)
vs CITROEN average-16%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,101

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 CITROEN RELAY has 106,101 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

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 2005 CITROEN RELAY

The 2005 CITROEN RELAY is a family car with a 1997cc diesel engine. 808 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 95% of 2005 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 106,101 miles at 21 years old, CITROEN RELAY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 CITROEN RELAY 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 2005 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 63% 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 2005 CITROEN RELAY

At 21 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 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 106k 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 63% 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 2005 CITROEN RELAY stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN RELAY(2005)63%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2007)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2007)71%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
HONDA CIVIC(2007)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
AUDI A3(2007)75%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£462

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 Relay.

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