2009 Citroen C5 MOT pass rate: 62.9% (5,256 tests)
Is the 2009 C5 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 64.0% -2.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 63.6% -2.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 60.0% -6.1 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 2009 C5
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,374 | 21.8% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,276 | 20.2% |
| 3 | Body, chassis, structure | 880 | 14.0% |
| 4 | Brakes | 764 | 12.1% |
| 5 | Tyres | 656 | 10.4% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 440 | 7.0% |
All C5 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3,543 | 62.6% | -2.5 pts | 117,934 |
| 2009 (this page) | 5,256 | 62.9% | -3.6 pts | 117,742 |
| 2010 | 3,507 | 64.6% | -2.8 pts | 114,051 |
| 2011 | 1,716 | 68.7% | -0.5 pts | 106,258 |
| 2019 | 19,472 | 87.2% | -1.2 pts | 34,478 |
| 2020 | 14,718 | 88.5% | -1.4 pts | 28,120 |
| 2021 | 1,641 | 90.1% | -0.3 pts | 28,124 |
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FAQs
Is a 2009 Citroen C5 reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 62.9% of their MOT tests (5,256 tests, 2023–2025), -3.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 117,742 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 C5?
The median tested example shows 117,742 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.
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.