Mercedes Citan Reliability and Common Problems
What the Mercedes Citan fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 33,753 MOT tests across 7 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium | Fuel: Diesel
78%
Mercedes Citan pass rate
87%
Mercedes average
82%
All-model average
The Mercedes Citan has an average MOT pass rate of 78%, which is 9 points below the Mercedes average and 4 points below the average across all models in our data. Newer Mercedes Citans pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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What the Mercedes Citan Fails Its MOT On
Of the 7,169 MOT tests on the Mercedes Citan 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
54%Cars and vans the same age: 31% (the Citan fails on this more often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
27%Cars and vans the same age: 20% (the Citan fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Body, chassis and structure
24%Cars and vans the same age: 7.6% (the Citan fails on this more often) · Typical repair £200-£1200
Suspension
21%Cars and vans the same age: 27% (the Citan fails on this less often) · Typical repair £150-£600
Tyres
19%Cars and vans the same age: 26% (the Citan fails on this less often) · Typical repair £50-£300
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Drive shaft CV boot split or insecure (20% of failed tests, body, chassis and structure)
- Stop lamp: not working (18% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
- Position lamp: not working (14% 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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Mercedes Citan 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.
Mercedes Citan Running Costs
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Mercedes Citan FAQ
What are the most common Mercedes Citan problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Mercedes Citan that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (54% of the 7,169 failed tests), brakes (27%) and body, chassis and structure (24%). The single most common fault was "Drive shaft CV boot split or insecure" (20%). Across 33,753 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 78% ended in a pass.
Is the Mercedes Citan reliable?
The Mercedes Citan has an average MOT pass rate of 78%, from 33,753 MOT tests. That is 4 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 Mercedes Citan is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2019 Mercedes Citan has the highest MOT pass rate: 82% of its 3,430 tests ended in a pass. The 2013 has the lowest at 72%. 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 Mercedes Citan faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Mercedes Citan 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 Mercedes Models
Common problems pages for other Mercedes models