Teedee

The latest MOT manual is a bit ambiguous by saying, "Additional stop lamps, over and above the mandatory requirements, must be tested. However, if you aren't sure that they're connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt."

Press the button that resets the trip mileage then turn on the ignition. Whilst you hold the button, the spanner will disappear and the digits will return to zero.

See the procedure here

When you reconnect the battery follow the correct procedure.

Can you hear the pump running?

Rubbish! Get yourself a TEB7AS relay off ebay - shop around and pay around £16. It'll be a doddle to clip a Scotchlock on to each lighting connection in the boot. I've been running C5's wired this way for lots of years. The system is reliable and won't cause any electrical wobbles.

That sounds like an unusual policy from your dealer. Certainly when I tried for a new set of tyres on a C5 which I was buying from a Citroen dealer, he wouldn't agree because they were not near the limits, although they were worn beyond the 50% level. You could probably get away with just the pad change. My C5 is at 61K now with the front pads about 1/2 worn but the discs will also need changing next time around, so my guess is that it's on its second pair of pads. A Xsara which my daughter bought from new needed new front pads at 36K although the discs didn't need changing.

Your battery should show 12.7 to be in good health - 14.5+ with the engine running. Charge it overnight then let it stand for a few hours. If it still isn't showing 12.7 then it's new battery time.

You may find that your problem is that your battery voltage is low. There might be just enough voltage to start the engine but it will fault the power steering. If when you let the engine charge the battery for a few minutes, then switch off and re-start and all's well again, it might be time to have your battery checked out.

Front struts are well known for looking as though they are leaking but it's just misting. MOT garages who are not familiar with C5s often mark them down as a failure. I always give them a wipe around before the test - just to be safe. Intermediate bearings are not known for wearing. I'm currently running on Nexen tyres and on anything but very smooth surfaces, I'm aware of road noise.

OK - you fitted a new battery and your faults disappeared. But now they are intermittent. Is the new battery getting charged properly? When the engine is running does the battery show 14.+ volts?

I got one off ebay for around £40 but it had no label on it so I presume it's a pirate copy.......but it works.