Common problems by part
Mercedes-Benz Citan body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 12,901 MOT tests · Updated
At 7 years, 8.6 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Citan failed on body and structure, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 12,901 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails 6.5–7.2× as often as all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 1,107 MOT tests with a fail
- When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 3 years and at every older age seen
- Most common fail: Driveshaft CV boot split, 7.0 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
8.6 fails per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 7 (all test years). The Mercedes-Benz Citan fails more often here.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The Mercedes-Benz Citan is a commercial or van-based vehicle: it is compared with all class 4 vehicles, cars and vans together, so part of any difference can come from how vans are used.
Mercedes-Benz Citan body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4,392 | 1.0 | 0.3 |
| 4 | 8,083 | 1.6 | 0.3 |
| 5 | 10,449 | 4.1 | 0.5 |
| 6 | 12,401 | 6.9 | 0.8 |
| 7 | 12,901 | 8.6 | 1.3 |
| 8 | 11,421 | 10.0 | 1.8 |
| 9 | 9,543 | 10.8 | 2.3 |
| 10 | 6,061 | 10.6 | 2.9 |
| 11 | 3,491 | 11.1 | 3.5 |
| 12 | 1,380 | 12.5 | 4.3 |
All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz Citan pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 7 years
Fails
- Driveshaft CV boot split: 7.0 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Replace CV joint boot: estimated £88–£196 (1–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated: 1.8 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Mercedes-Benz Citan? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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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
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated.
Check one Mercedes-Benz Citan, not the average
The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz Citan cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Mercedes-Benz Citan'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 Mercedes-Benz Citan problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan suspension problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan brakes problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan lights and electrics problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan steering problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan tyres problems
- Mercedes-Benz Citan road wheels problems
Body and structure on rival models
- Ford Transit body and structure problems: 7.3 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 8.6 for the Mercedes-Benz Citan (141,008 MOT tests)
- Volkswagen Transporter body and structure problems: 1.4 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 8.6 for the Mercedes-Benz Citan (78,401 MOT tests)
- Ford Transit Connect body and structure problems: 1.0 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 8.6 for the Mercedes-Benz Citan (62,318 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Mercedes-Benz Citan have more body and structure problems than other cars?
6.5 to 7.2 times the body and structure fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 7 years (all test years), from 12,901 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 1.2 in the same direction at 6 of the 10 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Mercedes-Benz Citan body and structure problems?
8.6 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years failed on body and structure, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 12,901 MOT tests).
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz Citan body and structure fail?
7.0 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years: Driveshaft CV boot split (900 MOT tests with it).
At what age do Mercedes-Benz Citan body and structure fails start?
3 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 80,122 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 80,122 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- 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