Citroen C4: what fails at MOT
190,000 MOT tests on the Citroen C4 in 2024, counted. 39.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
39.4% of Citroen C4 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.2%, so the C4 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.9% of tests), suspension (8.9% of tests) and brakes (6.3% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,616 | 16.7% | 10.9% | 23,400 15,600 to 33,600 |
| 2020 | 2,419 | 15.2% | 11.5% | 30,100 19,600 to 41,100 |
| 2019 | 7,217 | 20.0% | 13.4% | 37,500 27,100 to 49,400 |
| 2018 | 3,805 | 22.5% | 15.6% | 45,900 33,600 to 60,600 |
| 2017 | 1,351 | 25.4% | 18.2% | 62,500 40,400 to 100,300 |
| 2016 | 24,174 | 33.3% | 21.3% | 65,400 49,900 to 83,200 |
| 2015 | 38,124 | 36.8% | 24.4% | 73,100 57,100 to 91,500 |
| 2014 | 28,575 | 40.8% | 27.7% | 81,700 64,400 to 101,200 |
| 2013 | 16,519 | 43.8% | 30.6% | 85,900 67,100 to 106,400 |
| 2012 | 11,404 | 43.7% | 33.4% | 93,700 73,300 to 115,800 |
| 2011 | 9,806 | 45.2% | 36.1% | 100,100 79,800 to 122,300 |
| 2010 | 9,028 | 50.2% | 38.6% | 105,300 85,000 to 123,400 |
| 2009 | 7,337 | 52.0% | 39.8% | 103,100 83,200 to 125,100 |
| 2008 | 10,606 | 54.3% | 41.5% | 107,200 85,900 to 128,600 |
| 2007 | 8,097 | 51.5% | 41.5% | 104,200 81,700 to 127,800 |
| 2006 | 2,620 | 51.1% | 42.4% | 90,900 70,600 to 115,300 |
| 2005 | 1,339 | 46.5% | 42.2% | 90,600 68,200 to 121,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Citroen C4 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | C4 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 12.9% | 7.7% |
| Suspension More than most | 8.9% | 6.4% |
| Brakes More than most | 6.3% | 4.6% |
| Body and structure More than most | 6.2% | 2.3% |
| Tyres | 5.8% | 4.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.3% | 3.0% |
| Steering More than most | 3.0% | 1.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 2.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Driveshaft joint4.8%
- Headlamp aim3.9%
- Tyre3.3%
- Number plate light3.0%
- Brake light3.0%
- Headlamp2.8%
- Tyre tread2.8%
- Washers2.7%
- Brake pads2.5%
- Track rod end2.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.7%
- Brake light: not working2.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.3%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.2%
- Side light: not working2.2%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Citroen C4's own MOT record
Looking at a C4? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.