Citroen
Nemo
26,407 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Nemos pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 9.3 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
68.2%
Pass-after-fix
5.5%
Fail
25.5%
Avg miles
103,417
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Some examples of this model are borderline — a small number of diesels were certified Euro 6 before September 2015. Check your registration on the government's ULEZ checker to be certain. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 · Bristol £9.00 .
The picture
Citroen Nemo: challenging MOT record across 20,680 tests
The Citroen Nemo is a diesel-powered car sold in the UK market across multiple generations, covering a broad date range in the test population.
MOT data from 20,680 tests puts this car on a 67.3% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 99,809 miles. The most common fail item is fractured or weakened suspension spring, followed by cracked or discoloured windscreen.
The Nemo's pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 7–12
A low-group car — among the cheapest to insure in the UK. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
7–12
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
1,724 occurrences · 6.5% of tests
- 02
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
1,405 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 03
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
1,302 occurrences · 4.9% of tests
- 04
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
1,248 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 05
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
794 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 06
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
759 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
612 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 08
A tyre cords visible or damaged
603 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 09
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
487 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
403 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£148–£370
If every one of this Nemo's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Summit
Summit ADRG-169 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-170 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-48 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-49 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
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Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
5 UK recalls on record.
The Nemo has 5 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Nemo?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Nemo and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.