Citroen Relay Reliability and Common Problems
What the Citroen Relay fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 26,324 MOT tests across 25 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
75%
Citroen Relay pass rate
79%
Citroen average
82%
All-model average
The Citroen Relay has an average MOT pass rate of 75%, which is 4 points below the Citroen average and 7 points below the average across all models in our data. 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.
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What the Citroen Relay Fails Its MOT On
Of the 5,004 MOT tests on the Citroen Relay that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
46%Cars and vans the same age: 40% · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
39%Cars and vans the same age: 24% (the Relay fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Suspension
36%Cars and vans the same age: 35% · Typical repair £150-£600
Body, chassis and structure
20%Cars and vans the same age: 13% (the Relay fails on this more often) · Typical repair £200-£1200
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
18%Cars and vans the same age: 15% · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Parking brake efficiency below requirements (15% of failed tests, brakes)
- Suspension mounting area corroded, significantly reducing its strength (10% of failed tests, suspension)
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam (8% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Citroen Relay Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Diesel | 2.0L | 79% | 20% |
| 2019 | Diesel | 2.0L | 85% | 12% |
| 2018 | Diesel | 2.0L | 85% | 13% |
| 2017 | Diesel | 2.0L | 80% | 17% |
| 2016 | Diesel | 2.0L | 80% | 18% |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.2L | 78% | 20% |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.2L | 76% | 22% |
| 2013 | Diesel | 2.2L | 75% | 24% |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.2L | 76% | 23% |
| 2011 | Diesel | 2.2L | 73% | 25% |
| 2010 | Diesel | 2.2L | 73% | 26% |
| 2009 | Diesel | 2.2L | 70% | 29% |
| 2008 | Diesel | 2.2L | 71% | 27% |
| 2007 | Diesel | 2.2L | 68% | 30% |
| 2006 | Diesel | 2.2L | 68% | 31% |
| 2005 | Diesel | 2.0L | 63% | 34% |
| 2004 | Diesel | 2.8L | 66% | 31% |
| 2003 | Diesel | 2.8L | 68% | 29% |
| 2002 | Diesel | 2.8L | 65% | 32% |
| 2001 | Diesel | 1.9L | 69% | 31% |
| 2000 | Diesel | 2.4L | 64% | 34% |
| 1999 | Petrol | 2.0L | 64% | 26% |
| 1998 | Petrol | 2.0L | 70% | 28% |
| 1996 | Diesel | 1.9L | 66% | 34% |
| 1995 | Diesel | 1.9L | 70% | 19% |
Citroen Relay Running Costs
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Citroen Relay FAQ
What are the most common Citroen Relay problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Citroen Relay that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (46% of the 5,004 failed tests), brakes (39%) and suspension (36%). The single most common fault was "Parking brake efficiency below requirements" (15%). Across 26,324 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 75% ended in a pass.
Is the Citroen Relay reliable?
The Citroen Relay has an average MOT pass rate of 75%, from 26,324 MOT tests. That is 7 points below the average across all models in our data (82%), so budget for potential repairs. Pass rates fall as cars age, so compare it with cars of a similar age.
Which year Citroen Relay is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2018 Citroen Relay has the highest MOT pass rate: 85% of its 1,249 tests ended in a pass. The 2019 is level on 85%. The 2005 has the lowest at 63%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so the pass rate is only part of the picture.
How much does it cost to fix common Citroen Relay faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Citroen Relay typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Citroen Models
Common problems pages for other Citroen models