2004 Citroen C5 2.0L Diesel · AD53 WBW

The C5 passed its most recent MOT on 10 February 2026 at 241,685 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than clearly improving. That February 2026 test followed a failed attempt on the same day, where the nearside headlamp aim was flagged as obviously incorrect and the lens was seriously defective. The car also carries a persistent SRS warning lamp fault and corrosion at both front rear subframe mounting points, both noted as not excessive but still present on the most recent pass. A pattern of recurring advisories and borderline failures suggests the car has been kept on the road rather than proactively repaired. At 241,685 miles across roughly 22 years, the annual average sits at approximately 10,986 miles, which is typical for a diesel C5 of this generation. The mileage progression is broadly steady: 235,875 miles in February 2024, 239,090 miles in January 2025, and 241,685 miles in February 2026, indicating consistent use of around 2,500 to 3,000 miles per year in recent years. There are no dramatic gaps or sudden jumps that would suggest long periods of disuse or clocking concerns. Buyers should pay close attention to the rear subframe mounting areas, which have appeared as corroded on both the 2024 and 2026 tests. While currently deemed within tolerance, subframe corrosion on a C5 of this age can escalate quickly and is costly to rectify if it progresses beyond surface level. The rear brake pipe was flagged as corroded and contaminated with grease or material in 2024, and the offside parking brake was inoperative in 2025, so a thorough inspection of the entire rear braking system, including handbrake cables and calipers, is advisable. The front suspension and steering components also warrant close scrutiny. Multiple ball joint dust covers have been deteriorating or insecure across successive tests, which on a 240,000-mile car often points to worn joints themselves rather than just perished boots. The persistent oil leak, noted as not excessive in both 2024 and 2025, should be traced to its source, whether that is the rocker cover gasket, turbo oil feed, or a rear main seal. The SRS lamp fault should be diagnosed with a diagnostic scan tool rather than ignored, as it may indicate a pre-tensioner or airbag circuit issue that will need resolving for future tests.