Used buying checklist
Citroen Nemo reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Citroen Nemo looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 26.8% of 20,680 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 26.8% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 94,569 miles
- 5,536 failed MOT tests analysed
Lights and electrical is the clearest area to check
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (24.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources, vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights, and has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- adversely affected by the operation of another lamp
- is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- leaking excessively from engine
- emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users
Focus on lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 26.8%, +8.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed20,680 tests
- Median tested mileage94,569 miles
- Failed MOT tests5,536
Should you buy a used Citroen Nemo?
73.2% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 26.8%, +8.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- lights and electrical appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (24.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Citroen Nemo, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 20.6% at 3-6 years to 31.2% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (24.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (23.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (19.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (16.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (14.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Citroen Nemo, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (24.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Citroen Nemo mainly involve 4 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, mixed recall notices, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Citroen Nemo, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 2,260 | 1,757 | 20.9%+10.1 percentage points vs all models | 38,925 miles |
| 50-100k | 8,825 | 6,307 | 26.7%+5.9 percentage points vs all models | 77,004 miles |
| 100-150k | 6,377 | 4,559 | 28.5%+2.3 percentage points vs all models | 119,894 miles |
| 150-200k | 1,952 | 1,424 | 27.5%+0.2 percentage points vs all models | 166,883 miles |
| 200k+ | 577 | 412 | 30.2%+3.6 percentage points vs all models | 222,807 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Citroen Nemo, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 20.6% at 3-6 years to 31.2% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 31.2% for 15+ years cars, based on 276 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
528 | 407 | 20.6%+10.1 percentage points vs all models | 5.7 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
7,596 | 5,460 | 26.1%+9.5 percentage points vs all models | 8.2 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
12,280 | 8,812 | 27.4%+3.8 percentage points vs all models | 12.9 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
276 | 192 | 31.2%+5.3 percentage points vs all models | 15.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2013-10-01 | INABILITY TO CHANGE GEAR Over time partial wear of the gearbox control harnesses may occur due to contact with surrounding components. Gear selection may be affected as a result of electrical faults in some rare cases including the lighting of the warning lamp on the instrument panel and the driveability of the vehicle may be compromised. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the condition of the gearbox control harness and where necessary fit additional protection. |
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| 2013-01-15 | BRAKING ASSISTANCE MAY BE REDUCED One of the vacuum hose unions in the braking system may not be to specification. This could cause a reduction in braking assistance. Check and if necessary replace the hose. |
| 2012-11-14 | ENGINE MAY FAIL It has been established that the con-rod (big end) shell bearings may not have been manufactured to specification. This could lead to premature deterioration of the shells and if not identified it could result in engine failure. Recall affected vehicles and replace con-rod shell bearings. |
| 2012-10-22 | REAR CROSS MEMBER MAY CRACK Over a period of time a small crack can appear on the rear axle cross member particularly under conditions of repeated maximum suspension travel. The small crack could increase in size and eventually lead to the rear wheel rubbing on the wheel arch. Replace the rear axle cross member and suspension bump stops. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Citroen Nemo. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Citroen reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.