2005 Citroen C2 MOT pass rate: 58.6% (4,982 tests)
Is the 2005 C2 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2005-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 57.2% -7.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 59.1% -5.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 60.4% -4.9 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2005 C2
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2,117 | 27.4% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,760 | 22.8% |
| 3 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,002 | 13.0% |
| 4 | Brakes | 940 | 12.2% |
| 5 | Tyres | 469 | 6.1% |
| 6 | Visibility | 462 | 6.0% |
All C2 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3,805 | 58.1% | -6.2 pts | 85,516 |
| 2005 (this page) | 4,982 | 58.6% | -5.9 pts | 86,114 |
| 2006 | 5,072 | 62.5% | -1.9 pts | 83,152 |
| 2007 | 5,900 | 60.8% | -4.3 pts | 82,596 |
| 2008 | 5,240 | 61.6% | -3.5 pts | 79,895 |
| 2009 | 6,352 | 59.9% | -6.5 pts | 78,392 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2005 Citroen C2 reliable?
2005-registered examples passed 58.6% of their MOT tests (4,982 tests, 2023–2025), -5.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 21 years old with a median 86,114 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2005 C2?
The median tested example shows 86,114 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2005 C2?
In this cohort petrols pass 59.2% of tests against 53.8% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.