Used buying checklist

Citroen Spacetourer reliability, common problems and used buying checks

A used Citroen Spacetourer looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 14.6% of 2,998 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

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.

• 14.6% MOT failure rate
• Median tested mileage 40,664 miles
• 438 failed MOT tests analysed

Most useful finding

Lights and electrical is the clearest area to check

Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources, slightly damaged, and inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps.

Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:

• inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
• slightly damaged
• inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
• does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps
• provides insufficient washer liquid
• does not clear the windscreen effectively
• damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
• Items removed from drivers view prior to test
• on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour
• has a major leak of exhaust gases

Before you view one

Focus on lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust

The model's recorded failure rate is 14.6%, -4.1 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 analysed2,998 tests
• Median tested mileage40,664 miles
• Failed MOT tests438

Used buyer verdict

Should you buy a used Citroen Spacetourer?

85.4% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 14.6%, -4.1 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.

Better than average in our MOT data

Green light if The car has a tidy MOT pattern, recent repairs for lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, matching tyres, and paperwork for service or recall work.

Renegotiate if The latest MOT mentions lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, consumables are due together, or the seller cannot show what was fixed after advisories.

Walk away if Dangerous defects, corrosion near structural areas, warning lights, or the same component family keep returning without clear repair evidence.

• Repeat unresolved MOT notes for lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, 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"

What should I check first?

Start with lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels. 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.

• Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results

  Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.

  • Ask the seller: Have any lighting, warning-light, horn, battery, or electrical MOT notes come back more than once?
  • Example MOT wording: inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources; slightly damaged; inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 0-50k, 50-100k, 100-150k, and 200k+ miles
• Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results

  Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (9.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.

  • Ask the seller: Have windscreen, wiper, washer, mirror, or demisting faults appeared in recent MOT history?
  • Example MOT wording: provides insufficient washer liquid; does not clear the windscreen effectively; damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 0-50k, 50-100k, and 100-150k miles
• Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results

  Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.

  • Ask the seller: Has the car had repeat emissions, smoke, exhaust, lambda, or engine-warning MOT failures?
  • Example MOT wording: on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour; has a major leak of exhaust gases; leaking excessively from engine
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 0-50k, 50-100k, 100-150k, and 200k+ miles
• Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results

  Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.

  • Ask the seller: Have uneven tyre wear, damaged tyres, wheel damage, or alignment issues been corrected?
  • Example MOT wording: Nail in tyre; Spare tyre defective; on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 0-50k, 100-150k, 150-200k, and 200k+ miles
• Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results

  Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.

  • Ask the seller: Has any suspension, steering, ball-joint, spring, or wheel-bearing advisory been repaired?
  • Example MOT wording: ball joint has excessive play; across an axle; ball joint excessively worn
• Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results

  Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.

  • Ask the seller: Has any sill, subframe, mounting-point, chassis, or structural corrosion advisory been repaired properly?
  • Example MOT wording: is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced; corroded and seriously weakened; is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 50-100k miles

What changes with mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Citroen Spacetourer, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.

Common MOT problem areas

2,998 MOT tests analysed for this model

2,387 Distinct vehicles represented

14.6% Recorded MOT test failure rate — -4.1 percentage points vs all models

Common faults: what usually fails on this model?

Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.

Lights and electrical

• inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
• slightly damaged

10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests

Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors

• provides insufficient washer liquid
• does not clear the windscreen effectively

9.4 MOT notes per 100 tests

Emissions, engine, and exhaust

• on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour
• has a major leak of exhaust gases

4.5 MOT notes per 100 tests

Tyres and wheels

• Nail in tyre
• Spare tyre defective

2.9 MOT notes per 100 tests

Suspension and steering

• ball joint has excessive play
• across an axle

1.4 MOT notes per 100 tests

Corrosion and structure

• is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced
• corroded and seriously weakened

1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests

Recall-related areas to verify

Official recall areas

Manufacturer recall notices for the Citroen Spacetourer mainly involve 6 areas: mixed recall notices, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.

Mixed recall notices

• Citroen Spacetourer Dispatch K0 Seat Fixation
• On affected vehicles the AC compressor stator wiring could develop a fault leading to current loss inside the AC compressor that could result in a vehicle powertrain shutdown when driving.

10 recalls · 15,412 vehicles

Suspension and steering

• The tightening of the rear suspension fixings may not be to specification
• Front suspension may not be to correct specification

9 recalls · 25,138 vehicles

Emissions, engine, and exhaust

• Citroen Dispatch/Spacetourer Low In-use Performance ratio ECM s/w.
• Citroen DV5R Engines Camshaft Chain.

9 recalls · 24,961 vehicles

Lights and electrical

• Emission recall – On Board Diagnostics
• Traction Battery software

7 recalls · 883 vehicles

Brakes

• Citroën Spacetourer/Dispatch(K0) Rear Brake Discs
• The efficiency of the handbrake and service brake may be compromised.

5 recalls · 23,000 vehicles

Tyres and wheels

• Vehicles affected may have a single wheel bolt on both right hand side wheels which may not have been tightened correctly
• Vehicles affected may have a single wheel bolt on both left hand side wheels which may not have been tightened correctly

4 recalls · 118 vehicles

Mileage and age checks

Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Citroen Spacetourer, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, lights and electrical, and tyres and wheels.

Mileage range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median mileage
0-50k	1,977	1,625	13.4%+2.6 percentage points vs all models	33,018 miles
50-100k	908	726	16.7%-4.0 percentage points vs all models	62,151 miles
100-150k	84	62	20.2%-6.0 percentage points vs all models	117,935 miles
150-200k	10	8	10.0%-17.3 percentage points vs all models	166,305 miles
200k+	6	3	50.0%+23.4 percentage points vs all models	248,273 miles

Problem areas by mileage

Past 100k miles on the Citroen Spacetourer, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.

Mileage range	Car areas most often recorded	Specific MOT defect examples
0-50k	Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (10.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (7.2 MOT notes per 100 tests) Tyres and wheels (2.8 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
50-100k	Lights and electrical (17.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Emissions, engine, and exhaust (7.6 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (7.2 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
100-150k	Lights and electrical (23.8 MOT notes per 100 tests) Emissions, engine, and exhaust (19.1 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (7.1 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
150-200k	Tyres and wheels (10.0 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
200k+	Emissions, engine, and exhaust (83.3 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (66.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Tyres and wheels (50.0 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.

Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?

The MOT failure rate rises from 16.8% at 0-3 years to 0.0% at 10-15 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 16.8% for 0-3 years cars, based on 256 tests.

Age range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median age
0-3 years 2023–2026 reg.	256	218	16.8%+8.4 percentage points vs all models	3.0 years
3-6 years 2020–2023 reg.	2,515	2,014	14.5%+3.9 percentage points vs all models	4.8 years
6-10 years 2016–2020 reg.	226	193	13.3%-3.3 percentage points vs all models	6.2 years
10-15 years 2011–2016 reg.	1	1	0.0%-23.5 percentage points vs all models	12.4 years

Recall records and data freshness

Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?

6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.

2026-04-09	Speed Limitation – BCM software Affected vehicles may have the incorrect speed limit displayed. Update the Body Control Module Software.
2025-12-19	Citroen Spacetourer (K0) Berlingo (K9) IVI software via OTA update. Affected vehicle may face a black screen on the Instrument Panel Cluster with several functions not available to view. Update the In-Vehicle-Infotainment software via Over-the-Air.
2025-11-12	Citroen Dispatch/Spacetourer Low In-use Performance ratio ECM s/w. On affected vehicles there is an issue with the Engine Control Module (ECM) calibration which may lead to non-compliance with regulatory emission requirements. Update the ECM calibration.
2025-09-29	Citroën Spacetourer/Dispatch(K0) Rear Brake Discs Affected vehicles may have been equipped with rear brake discs out of specification. These brake discs have insufficient contact with the wheel hub resulting in abnormal stress concentration. Check the rear brake discs and replace them and the brake pads if necessary.
2025-08-18	Emission recall – On Board Diagnostics Vehicles may be affected by incorrect performance of the On-Board-Diagnostics related to Selective Catalytic Reduction system and/or Diesel Particle Filter. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may not illuminate in the event of a malfunction and therefore does not comply with emission regulations. Update the Engine Control Unit software to ensure compliance to regulations.
2025-07-03	Citroen DV5R Engines Camshaft Chain. Vehicles may be affected by premature wearing of the camshaft drive chain leading to abnormal noise or to a breakage of the chain in the worst case. Update the software to improve oil pressure and reduce wear. Check the engine noise and replace the chain if required. If no problem found change the oil to one with higher viscosity and special anti-wear additives.

Related searches

Common ways people look up the Citroen Spacetourer. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.

• Citroen Spacetourer common problems
• Citroen Spacetourer reliability
• Citroen Spacetourer after 100k miles
• Citroen Spacetourer after 200k miles
• Citroen Spacetourer high mileage common problems
• Citroen Spacetourer age related problems
• Citroen Spacetourer MOT failures
• Citroen Spacetourer recalls

Related reliability guides

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.