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Mercedes Benz Citan car check

Find out if a Citan has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£12,08651 at dealers
MOT failure rate
26.4%46k tests
Known problems
5across W415
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Citan are you looking at?

Each Citan generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Brake pipe corrosion

    Safety risk W415

    The Citan uses steel brake pipes that are particularly susceptible to corrosion compared to the national fleet average. MOT data shows this model fails brake pipe inspections at 6.4 times the fleet average rate, with failures appearing from very low mileages. The issue affects pipes running along the vehicle's underside where they are exposed to road salt and moisture. This is a critical safety defect that can result in complete brake system failure.

    What to check: Inspect all visible brake pipes under the vehicle using a torch, looking for brown rust staining, flaky surface corrosion, or wet spots indicating fluid leaks. Check brake fluid level in the reservoir - low fluid may indicate a leak in the system. Press the brake pedal gently and feel for spongin...

  2. Steering ball joint wear

    Wear item W415

    Steering ball joints on the Citan develop excessive wear at 8.3 times the national fleet average rate, with failures documented from very low mileages. The issue appears to be related to the commercial vehicle's loading characteristics and suspension geometry. Ball joint failure can result in sudden loss of steering control, making this a significant safety concern. The problem affects track rod ends and other steering linkage components.

    What to check: With the front wheels on the ground, grip the steering wheel and try to rock it left and right - any free play beyond normal steering dead-zone indicates worn ball joints. Have someone rock the steering wheel while you inspect the front wheels for any movement that doesn't correspond to steering ...

  3. CV joint boot failure

    Wear item W415

    The Citan suffers CV joint boot failures at up to 12.7 times the national fleet average rate, the highest failure rate recorded for this model. The rubber or plastic boots that protect the constant velocity joints split or tear, allowing dirt and water ingress that rapidly destroys the CV joint itself. This appears to be due to poor boot material quality or design inadequacy for commercial vehicle use patterns. Once contaminated, the CV joint will fail within a few thousand miles.

    What to check: Inspect both front driveshaft CV joint boots visually - look for splits, tears, or grease being flung out around the wheel area. Check for fresh grease deposits on the inside of the wheel rim or around the CV joint boot area. Feel around the boot (engine off) for tears or soft spots that indicate...

  4. Brake pedal anti-slip provision failure

    Safety and MOT risk W415

    The brake pedal rubber grip surface becomes worn smooth or detaches at 12.2 times the national fleet average rate. This is likely due to the commercial use patterns of Citan vehicles, where drivers frequently operate the vehicle in work boots that accelerate pedal wear. While not affecting braking performance, it presents a safety concern if the driver's foot slips off a smooth pedal during emergency braking, particularly in wet conditions.

    What to check: Inspect the brake pedal surface for smooth wear areas, missing rubber grip patterns, or completely detached pedal coverings. Press the brake pedal with your hand and feel for slippery or smooth areas where the grip surface has worn away. Check if the pedal covering moves or shifts when pressed, i...

  5. Door mechanism failure

    Safety and MOT risk W415

    The issue appears to be premature wear of door roller mechanisms, handle linkages, or latch assemblies under commercial use patterns. A door that will not open or close properly presents both security and safety concerns, particularly for commercial users who rely on easy cargo access.

    What to check: Test all doors from both inside and outside handles - check that each door opens smoothly without excessive force or sticking. For sliding doors, check the roller track for damage, debris, or visible wear to the roller wheels. Operate door handles and feel for looseness, excessive play, or grindi...

What Citans cost at dealers now

From 51 used Citans we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£12,086
Typical mileage
46,219 miles
Price change vs last month
-41.6%

Citan MOT results

26.4%

of Citan MOT tests end in a fail, from 46,481 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Service brake control not releasing correctly a...Brakes
  2. Wheel damageBodywork
  3. Lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m...Lights & Electrics

Check the Citan you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Citan questions

Is the Mercedes Benz Citan reliable?

26.4% of Citan models fail their MOT based on 46,481 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being brake pipe corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Mercedes Benz Citan?

The most serious known issues are brake pipe corrosion, steering ball joint wear, cv joint boot failure. Our car check flags whether a specific Citan has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Mercedes Benz Citan has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Mercedes Benz Citan has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Citan has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Mercedes Benz Citan for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Mercedes Benz Citan HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Citan faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Mercedes Benz Citan fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Citan is service brake control not releasing correctly a.... 26.4% of Citan models fail overall, based on 46,481 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Citan

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.