Mercedes-Benz Citan
Registered from 2012 to 2021.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz Citan is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle introduced as a badge-engineered variant of the Renault Kangoo in 2012 and marketed by Mercedes-Benz as the successor to the Vaneo compact MPV. In the Mercedes-Benz van lineup, the Citan is the smallest model offered, alongside the mid-size Vito and large Sprinter.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz Citan, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2016 1.5 diesel. 1,010 of 4,386 tests failed, 23%.
Better than 5% of 2016 cars. The typical one fails 13%, across 899 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 42% | 429 |
| Brakes | 39% | 398 |
| Body and structure | 29% | 292 |
| Tyres and wheels | 28% | 278 |
| Visibility | 18% | 180 |
| Suspension | 17% | 169 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Where it stands out against its peers
- Lights and electrics: failed more often than 92% of 2016 cars — 42% of its 1,010 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 19%.
- Body and structure: failed more often than 95% of 2016 cars — 29% of its 1,010 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 5%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 39% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyres and wheels — 28% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Suspension — 17% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 42% of its failures
- Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 29% of its failures
- Visibility — 18% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 19% of its inspections, against the 20% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 14% | 10% | 184 | |
| 40–60k miles | 18% | 13% | 572 | |
| 60–80k miles | 22% | 16% | 921 | |
| 80–100k miles | 24% | 18% | 943 | |
| 100–120k miles | 27% | 19% | 727 | |
| 120–140k miles | 25% | 19% | 501 | |
| 140–160k miles | 24% | 19% | 229 | |
| 160–180k miles | 25% | 18% | 126 | |
| 180–200k miles | 26% | 18% | 69 | |
| 200k+ miles | 19% | 20% | 89 |
4,361 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.5 diesel · 96 hp · 1585 kg · 2709 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1489 kg · 2697 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.5 diesel · 106 hp · 1450 kg · 2709 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.5 diesel · 102 hp · 1416 kg · 2769 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.5 diesel · 109 hp · 1395 kg · 2697 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.5 diesel · 100 hp · 1437 kg · 2824 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.5 diesel · 96 hp · 1423 kg · 2781 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.5 diesel · 92 hp · 1408 kg · 2730 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.5 diesel · 87 hp · 1395 kg · 2697 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00178/22
An electrical stability system (ESP) that is not designed for this type of vehicle may have a negative impact on functionality. This can increase the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1388/19
The ventilation system of the crankcase might be blocked due to a manufacturing error. Consequently, oil may leak on hot components, increasing the risk of fire.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1952/13
Under certain conditions, the deployment of the window bag system in case of an accident could be incomplete.
Recall of the product from end users