2012 Citroen Relay MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 64.3% of Citroen Relays first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 2,104 Relay first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Citroen Relays first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Citroen Relay MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Relays first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Relay figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Relay | All cars first used 2012 | Relay first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64.9% | 68.8% | 669 |
| 2022 | 66.7% | 67.4% | 691 |
| 2023 | 65.7% | 65.6% | 685 |
| 2024 | 64.3% | 64.3% | 728 |
| 2025 | 64.3% | 63.5% | 691 |
Common 2012 Citroen Relay MOT failures
Share of the 742 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 15.0% | 111 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 9.8% | 73 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 9.7% | 72 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 8.9% | 66 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 8.8% | 65 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Relay in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Citroen Relay before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2012 Citroen Relay MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Relays, as a share of all 2,104 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 12.4% | 261 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 11.6% | 244 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.0% | 189 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 8.6% | 180 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 8.5% | 179 |
Questions about the 2012 Citroen Relay MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Citroen Relay?
In 2025, 64.3% of Relays first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Relay most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (37.6%) and suspension (34.0%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (15.0%).
How often does a 2012 Citroen Relay fail its MOT?
In 2025, 35.7% of first tests on Relays first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 30.5% failed, and a further 5.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 742 of 2,104 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Citroen Relay MOT advisories?
“Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (on 12.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.0%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.6%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (8.5%).
Is a 2012 Citroen Relay reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 64.9% in 2021 to 64.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Relay?
The numbers above cover every Relay first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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