The small van wearing a premium badge
The Mercedes-Benz Citan is a compact van and people-carrier based on the Renault Kangoo platform, positioned as the premium option in the small van segment. It competes with the Volkswagen Caddy and Ford Transit Connect, appealing to tradespeople and small businesses who want a three-pointed star badge, Mercedes dealer backup and higher residual values. The Tourer passenger variant offers an alternative to conventional MPVs.
We track 5 known issues across the Mercedes-Benz Citan range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mercedes-Benz Citan? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
W415 (2012–2021) — Petrol options included the 1.2 TCe, with 1.5 dCi on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£200–£400 to address).
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.
Complete brake system failure can occur if corroded pipes rupture, resulting in total loss of braking ability. This presents an immediate danger to vehicle occupants and other road users. Typical repair involves replacing affected brake pipe sections and bleeding the entire system. The vehicle should not be driven if brake pipe corrosion is suspected.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
Severely worn ball joints can separate completely, causing immediate loss of steering control and potential wheel collapse. This presents a serious safety risk at any speed. Repair involves replacing the affected track rod ends or ball joint assemblies. The vehicle should not be driven if significant ball joint wear is detected.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
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.
A split CV joint boot allows contamination that will destroy the CV joint within a few thousand miles. Complete CV joint failure results in loss of drive to that wheel and potential damage to the gearbox differential. Early boot replacement costs £100-200 per side, but delayed repair requiring full CV joint replacement costs £300-500 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
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.
A slippery brake pedal surface increases the risk of foot slippage during emergency braking, potentially extending stopping distances. This is particularly hazardous in wet conditions or when wearing smooth footwear. The repair involves replacing the pedal rubber or covering, which is inexpensive but important for safety.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
A malfunctioning door mechanism can trap occupants inside the vehicle in an emergency or prevent proper securing of the vehicle and cargo. Sliding door problems are particularly common and can require complete mechanism replacement. Repair costs vary significantly depending on whether the issue is a simple handle linkage or complete door mechanism failure.
Check panel gaps are even and consistent all the way around the car. Look for signs of repainting — overspray on rubber seals, mismatched paint texture or colour differences between panels. Open and close all doors, the boot and bonnet to check alignment.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mercedes-Benz Citan common problems page.
Based on 96k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mercedes-Benz Citan fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is service brake control not releasing correctly a... at 114x the fleet average, followed by wheel damage (27x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mercedes-Benz Citan MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 12k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mercedes-Benz Citan service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mercedes-Benz Citan has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2021 onwards Mk2 models are a significant step up, with improved sound insulation, better materials, MBUX infotainment and modern safety aids like adaptive cruise control. For Mk1 buyers, 2019 models have the best MOT pass rate at 82%. Avoid 2013 Mk1 cars which have the lowest reliability at 72% pass rate.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mercedes-Benz Citan, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mercedes-Benz Citan issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.