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Common problems by part

Citroen C5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 12,614 MOT tests · Updated

At 3 years, 1.3 in 100 MOT tests of the Citroen C5 failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 2.8 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: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.4–0.5×) (all test years), 169 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 16 ages from 3 to 21 years, 77,525 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid, 0.7 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

1.3 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 2.8 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). The Citroen C5 fails less often here.

Why it matters

A windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

Citroen C5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails by age

Citroen C5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Citroen C5. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.053 years: 1.3 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 12,614 MOT tests34 years: 1.4 per 100 (all cars 3.6), 12,490 MOT tests5 years: 1.8 per 100 (all cars 3.4), 11,608 MOT tests56 years: 1.9 per 100 (all cars 3.3), 6,750 MOT tests10 years: 3.1 per 100 (all cars 4.4), 1,227 MOT tests1011 years: 3.6 per 100 (all cars 4.8), 1,713 MOT tests12 years: 4.6 per 100 (all cars 5.2), 3,013 MOT tests1213 years: 6.8 per 100 (all cars 5.6), 5,107 MOT tests14 years: 6.4 per 100 (all cars 6.1), 5,893 MOT tests1415 years: 7.6 per 100 (all cars 6.5), 4,922 MOT tests16 years: 6.9 per 100 (all cars 6.8), 3,793 MOT tests1617 years: 6.5 per 100 (all cars 7.1), 2,412 MOT tests18 years: 6.6 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 1,768 MOT tests1819 years: 8.3 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 1,703 MOT tests20 years: 7.5 per 100 (all cars 7.6), 1,460 MOT tests2021 years: 7.3 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 1,052 MOT tests
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Citroen C5 All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
312,6141.32.8
412,4901.43.6
511,6081.83.4
66,7501.93.3
101,2273.14.4
111,7133.64.8
123,0134.65.2
135,1076.85.6
145,8936.46.1
154,9227.66.5
163,7936.96.8
172,4126.57.1
181,7686.67.3
19*1,7038.37.5
20*1,4607.57.6
21*1,0527.37.5

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 windscreen, wipers and mirrors at 3 years

Fails

  • Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid: 0.7 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Top up screenwash: estimated £2–£14 (0–0.1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £2–£6) Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid MOT fail
  • Wipers not clearing screen: 0.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.9. Replace wiper blade: estimated £15–£30 (0.1–0.2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £7–£14) Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively MOT fail
  • Washers: not working: 0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Repair washer system (pump, jet or pipe): estimated £28–£118 (0.3–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £5–£40) Windscreen washer not working MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Top up screenwash cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
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See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view.

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.

Other Citroen C5 problems

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Citroen C5 have more windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems than other cars?

0.4 to 0.5 times the windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 3 years (all test years), from 12,614 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 4 of the 16 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).

How common are Citroen C5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems?

1.3 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 2.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 12,614 MOT tests).

What is the most common Citroen C5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail?

0.7 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid (83 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. 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.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. 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