Citroën Berlingo Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Citroën Berlingo passes its MOT first time on 58.4% of tests, 9.6 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.0%). That puts it ahead of 10% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2004 Berlingo does best (beats 41% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 0%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 41%) and the 1.5 Diesel worst (beats 1%).

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.8×as often as a typical car

Visibility1.5×as often as a typical car

Brake lights3.0×as often as a typical car

Sidelights2.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Citroën BerlingoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 37%

Beats 32%

Beats 32%

Beats 40%

Beats 39%

Beats 39%

Beats 41%

Beats 37%

Beats 40%

Beats 35%

Beats 31%

Beats 26%

Beats 19%

Beats 13%

Beats 10%

Beats 7%

Beats 4%

Beats 2%

Beats 1%

Beats 0%

Beats 0%

Beats 1%

Beats 1%

Beats 0%

Beats 0%

Beats 0%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	2005–2020	1,119,152	58.5%	Beats 6%	E
1.9 Diesel	1998–2007	145,929	49.2%	Beats 37%	D
1.5 Diesel	2018–2023	125,185	72.7%	Beats 1%	E
2.0 Diesel	2001–2007	60,916	50.0%	Beats 41%	C
1.6 Petrol	2001–2011	43,146	54.2%	Beats 37%	D
1.4 Petrol	2001–2009	33,438	54.6%	Beats 38%	D
1.2 Petrol	2017–2022	13,720	79.0%	Beats 2%	E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 25.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

25.0% vs 13.7%

Suspension

10.9% vs 10.2%

Brakes

8.9% vs 8.0%

Visibility

8.0% vs 5.3%

Tyres

7.4% vs 7.2%

Body & structure

7.4% vs 3.9%

Emissions & leaks

3.7% vs 3.7%

Seat belts & airbags

3.0% vs 1.3%

Steering

3.0% vs 2.2%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Brake lights 3.0× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Windscreen washers 1.7× typical
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Headlight bulbs & units 1.5× typical
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Tyre tread depth
Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Citroën BerlingoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Sidelights	8.0%	3.3%	2.4×
Brake lights	7.6%	2.5%	3.0×
Number plate lights	5.2%	1.8%	2.9×
Drive shaft (CV) joints	4.7%	1.6%	3.1×
Headlight aim	4.6%	3.8%	1.2×
Windscreen washers	4.1%	2.4%	1.7×
Tyre tread depth	4.0%	3.1%	1.3×
Headlight bulbs & units	3.8%	2.5%	1.5×
Coil springs	3.5%	2.5%	1.4×
Tyre damage & cracking	3.2%	3.7%	0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	68.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	68.2
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	48.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	45.8
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	45.2
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	44.6
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	41.2
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	40.0

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Citroën Berlingo1 engine70.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	5,907	70.7%	Beats 0%	E

2022 Citroën Berlingo2 engines71.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	12,060	70.4%	Beats 0%	E
1.2 Petrol	1,286	80.9%	Beats 0%	E

2021 Citroën Berlingo2 engines71.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	31,224	71.6%	Beats 0%	E
1.2 Petrol	2,191	76.2%	Beats 0%	E

2020 Citroën Berlingo3 engines72.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	43,836	72.2%	Beats 1%	E
1.6 Diesel	1,849	70.5%	Beats 0%	E
1.2 Petrol	1,476	76.3%	Beats 0%	E

2019 Citroën Berlingo3 engines71.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	39,795	67.3%	Beats 0%	E
1.5 Diesel	29,577	75.5%	Beats 4%	E
1.2 Petrol	5,258	80.2%	Beats 4%	E

2018 Citroën Berlingo3 engines63.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	70,539	62.5%	Beats 0%	E
1.5 Diesel	2,581	78.7%	Beats 5%	E
1.2 Petrol	2,483	79.7%	Beats 4%	E

2017 Citroën Berlingo2 engines62.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	84,153	62.2%	Beats 0%	E
1.2 Petrol	1,026	79.1%	Beats 7%	E

2016 Citroën Berlingo1 engine63.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	113,282	63.9%	Beats 1%	E

2015 Citroën Berlingo1 engine62.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	139,143	62.2%	Beats 2%	E

2014 Citroën Berlingo1 engine59.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	132,150	59.8%	Beats 4%	E

2013 Citroën Berlingo1 engine58.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	114,960	58.0%	Beats 7%	E

2012 Citroën Berlingo1 engine55.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	90,845	55.9%	Beats 10%	E

2011 Citroën Berlingo2 engines53.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	76,009	53.8%	Beats 13%	E
1.6 Petrol	1,015	61.3%	Beats 27%	D

2010 Citroën Berlingo2 engines52.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	68,846	52.6%	Beats 19%	E
1.6 Petrol	2,271	60.0%	Beats 36%	D

2009 Citroën Berlingo3 engines52.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	70,387	52.1%	Beats 26%	D
1.6 Petrol	7,345	56.0%	Beats 31%	D
1.4 Petrol	2,408	56.8%	Beats 28%	D

2008 Citroën Berlingo3 engines52.0% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	49,776	51.3%	Beats 30%	D
1.4 Petrol	5,448	56.5%	Beats 37%	D
1.6 Petrol	5,397	53.5%	Beats 29%	D

2007 Citroën Berlingo5 engines52.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	49,643	51.6%	Beats 34%	D
1.4 Petrol	6,772	56.4%	Beats 40%	C
1.9 Diesel	4,990	49.6%	Beats 30%	D
1.6 Petrol	3,880	55.3%	Beats 37%	D
2.0 Diesel	1,117	55.0%	Beats 44%	C

2006 Citroën Berlingo5 engines52.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	31,354	49.6%	Beats 34%	D
1.6 Diesel	16,375	54.4%	Beats 48%	C
2.0 Diesel	8,349	52.2%	Beats 44%	C
1.4 Petrol	4,962	57.2%	Beats 49%	C
1.6 Petrol	4,595	55.6%	Beats 44%	C

2005 Citroën Berlingo5 engines50.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	25,666	48.5%	Beats 33%	D
2.0 Diesel	16,514	50.9%	Beats 42%	C
1.6 Petrol	4,906	52.9%	Beats 41%	C
1.4 Petrol	3,279	54.7%	Beats 44%	C
1.6 Diesel	1,400	51.6%	Beats 45%	C

2004 Citroën Berlingo4 engines49.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	24,599	49.1%	Beats 40%	C
2.0 Diesel	16,506	49.4%	Beats 41%	C
1.6 Petrol	5,109	52.2%	Beats 42%	C
1.4 Petrol	3,583	52.6%	Beats 39%	D

2003 Citroën Berlingo4 engines49.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	22,341	48.8%	Beats 40%	D
2.0 Diesel	12,015	48.2%	Beats 38%	D
1.6 Petrol	4,718	50.9%	Beats 40%	D
1.4 Petrol	3,243	51.9%	Beats 39%	D

2002 Citroën Berlingo4 engines49.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	16,291	48.9%	Beats 38%	D
2.0 Diesel	5,277	48.6%	Beats 40%	C
1.6 Petrol	2,356	52.4%	Beats 44%	C
1.4 Petrol	2,156	50.2%	Beats 34%	D

2001 Citroën Berlingo4 engines50.0% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	10,667	50.2%	Beats 43%	C
1.4 Petrol	1,587	45.7%	Beats 18%	E
1.6 Petrol	1,554	51.5%	Beats 39%	D
2.0 Diesel	1,138	51.0%	Beats 49%	C

2000 Citroën Berlingo1 engine48.5% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	5,637	48.5%	Beats 32%	D

1999 Citroën Berlingo1 engine50.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	2,779	50.2%	Beats 32%	D

1998 Citroën Berlingo1 engine53.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	1,605	53.8%	Beats 37%	D

FAQ

What is the Citroën Berlingo MOT pass rate?

58.4% of MOT tests on the Citroën Berlingo were passed first time, based on 1,541,486 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.0% of the time.

Is the Citroën Berlingo reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 10% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Citroën Berlingo year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2004 Berlingo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 41% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 0%.

Which Citroën Berlingo engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 41% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Citroën Berlingo?

The most common failure items are sidelights, brake lights, number plate lights. Compared with similar cars, brake lights comes up 3.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Citroën Berlingo reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ