Common problems by part
Citroen C5 suspension problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 12,614 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Citroen C5 failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 12,614 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 19 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 16 ages from 3 to 21 years, 77,525 MOT tests
- MOT tests at 3 years: 12,614 for the Citroen C5
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A suspension fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.
What to check
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
Citroen C5 suspension fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12,614 | 0.2 | 0.6 |
| 4 | 12,490 | 0.3 | 0.9 |
| 5 | 11,608 | 0.6 | 1.6 |
| 6 | 6,750 | 1.1 | 2.9 |
| 10 | 1,227 | 10.6 | 9.7 |
| 11 | 1,713 | 10.8 | 11.6 |
| 12 | 3,013 | 12.5 | 13.4 |
| 13 | 5,107 | 14.9 | 14.9 |
| 14 | 5,893 | 14.7 | 16.0 |
| 15 | 4,922 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
| 16 | 3,793 | 17.3 | 17.1 |
| 17 | 2,412 | 17.2 | 17.2 |
| 18 | 1,768 | 18.2 | 17.2 |
| 19* | 1,703 | 16.0 | 16.9 |
| 20* | 1,460 | 15.1 | 16.5 |
| 21* | 1,052 | 16.4 | 15.9 |
All first-use years of the Citroen C5 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.
What fails in the suspension at 3 years
Advisories (not fails)
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil: 0.2 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.0. Shock absorber has light misting of oil MOT advisory
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil.
Check one Citroen C5, not the average
The figures here describe Citroen C5 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Citroen C5's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Citroen C5 problems
Suspension on rival models
- BMW 3 Series suspension problems: 0.7 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.2 for the Citroen C5 (89,865 MOT tests)
- Tesla Model 3 suspension problems: 1.0 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.2 for the Citroen C5 (81,840 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class suspension problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.2 for the Citroen C5 (49,103 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Citroen C5 have more suspension problems than other cars?
0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 12,614 MOT tests).
How common are Citroen C5 suspension problems?
0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 12,614 MOT tests).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 77,525 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare