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Citroën Nemo reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 130,853 MOT tests of cars first registered 2008–2017.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
60.0%pass first time
−7.0 ptsvs typical car
Beats 17%of cars
130,853MOT tests

Verdict

The Citroën Nemo passes its MOT first time on 60.0% of tests, 7.0 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (67.0%). That puts it ahead of 17% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2009 Nemo does best (beats 35% of cars) and the 2010 worst (beats 32%).

Of its engines, the 1.4 Diesel does best (beats 32%) and the 1.2 Diesel worst (beats 8%).

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.8×as often as a typical car
Tyres1.3×as often as a typical car
Shock absorbers4.7×as often as a typical car
Coil springs2.5×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.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161773%67%62%59%58%57%55%53%
Citroën NemoTypical 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.

2008
Beats 33%
2009
Beats 35%
2010
Beats 32%
2011
Beats 29%
2012
Beats 15%
2013
Beats 13%
2014
Beats 9%
2015
Beats 4%
2016
Beats 2%
2017
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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel2011–201771,31162.8%Beats 8%E
1.4 Diesel2008–201252,54256.5%Beats 32%D
1.4 Petrol2009–20137,00058.6%Beats 25%D

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.

Exhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 19.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 16.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.1% 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.Tyres: 9.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 6.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 16.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.1% 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.Lights−2.2 ptsTyres: 9.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−2.1 ptsBrakes: 6.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.2 ptsSuspension: 19.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−8.2 ptsExhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.2 ptsSuspension: 19.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 6.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 9.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 16.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.1% 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.Exhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 16.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.1% 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.Lights−2.2 ptsTyres: 9.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−2.1 ptsBrakes: 6.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.2 ptsSuspension: 19.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−8.2 ptsExhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 19.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

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

Suspension
19.0% vs 10.8%
Lights & electrics
16.2% vs 14.1%
Tyres
9.4% vs 7.4%
Visibility
8.6% vs 5.1%
Brakes
6.3% vs 7.6%
Emissions & leaks
4.5% vs 3.3%
Body & structure
3.8% vs 3.4%
Steering
2.5% vs 2.1%
Seat belts & airbags
1.3% vs 0.9%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Shock absorbers 4.7× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Coil springs 2.5× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Windscreen washers 1.6× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre tread depth 1.4× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Number plate lights 1.6× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k78%71%65%60%58%55%54%54%
Citroën NemoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs7.7%3.1%2.5×
Shock absorbers6.3%1.3%4.7×
Tyre damage & cracking5.0%3.8%1.3×
Sidelights4.9%3.6%1.4×
Tyre tread depth4.5%3.2%1.4×
Windscreen washers3.9%2.4%1.6×
Windscreen wipers3.6%2.2%1.7×
Brake lights3.3%2.6%1.3×
Headlight aim3.3%3.6%0.9×
Number plate lights3.1%2.0%1.6×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened76.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements45.2
A shock absorber bush excessively worn 43.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen39.3
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn35.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning34.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements32.5
A tyre cords visible or damaged28.2
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.

2017 Citroën Nemo1 engine65.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel3,29665.7%Beats 0%E
2016 Citroën Nemo1 engine65.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel8,33365.1%Beats 2%E
2015 Citroën Nemo1 engine64.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel15,91764.2%Beats 4%E
2014 Citroën Nemo1 engine62.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel15,38262.9%Beats 9%E
2013 Citroën Nemo2 engines60.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel12,68060.7%Beats 14%E
1.4 Petrol1,02560.3%Beats 6%E
2012 Citroën Nemo2 engines59.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Diesel9,71660.2%Beats 16%E
1.4 Diesel4,09257.1%Beats 15%E
2011 Citroën Nemo2 engines60.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Diesel6,00359.1%Beats 27%D
1.2 Diesel5,98762.1%Beats 31%D
2010 Citroën Nemo2 engines57.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Diesel19,35357.2%Beats 33%D
1.4 Petrol2,13557.1%Beats 23%D
2009 Citroën Nemo2 engines56.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Diesel18,30755.9%Beats 35%D
1.4 Petrol3,84058.9%Beats 32%D
2008 Citroën Nemo1 engine51.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Diesel4,78751.7%Beats 33%D

FAQ

What is the Citroën Nemo MOT pass rate?

60.0% of MOT tests on the Citroën Nemo were passed first time, based on 130,853 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2008–2017. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 67.0% of the time.

Is the Citroën Nemo 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 17% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Citroën Nemo year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2009 Nemo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 35% of cars on UK roads. The 2010 does worst: it beats 32%.

Which Citroën Nemo engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.4 Diesel does best: it beats 32% of cars on UK roads. The 1.2 Diesel does worst: it beats 8%.

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

The most common failure items are coil springs, shock absorbers, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, shock absorbers comes up 4.7× 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.