Citroen C4 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 157,134 MOT tests on the Citroen C4 carried out in 2023. 38% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 C4s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2005 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2021 models did best (90% passed, −1.0 points against the average for 2-year-old cars), while 2010 models fared worst (49%, −11.6 points). Tested cars had covered 76,734 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 17.8% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 7.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 157,134
- First-time pass rate
- 62%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −9.8 points
- Average mileage at test
- 76,734
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular C4?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
C4 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 206 | 90% | 91% | −1.0 points | 25,913 |
| 2020 | 1,789 | 84% | 88% | −3.4 points | 23,461 |
| 2019 | 5,243 | 82% | 86% | −4.2 points | 31,539 |
| 2018 | 6,023 | 78% | 84% | −6.3 points | 44,294 |
| 2017 | 8,110 | 72% | 82% | −10.1 points | 56,539 |
| 2016 | 21,275 | 69% | 79% | −9.6 points | 62,023 |
| 2015 | 28,545 | 66% | 75% | −9.6 points | 69,078 |
| 2014 | 21,391 | 61% | 72% | −10.3 points | 77,595 |
| 2013 | 12,789 | 58% | 68% | −10.7 points | 82,380 |
| 2012 | 8,975 | 57% | 66% | −8.7 points | 90,104 |
| 2011 | 7,832 | 55% | 63% | −7.6 points | 96,887 |
| 2010 | 7,183 | 49% | 60% | −11.6 points | 99,789 |
| 2009 | 6,576 | 50% | 59% | −9.5 points | 101,021 |
| 2008 | 9,624 | 48% | 57% | −9.7 points | 104,211 |
| 2007 | 7,679 | 48% | 57% | −9.4 points | 103,730 |
| 2006 | 2,529 | 50% | 56% | −6.5 points | 94,506 |
| 2005 | 1,309 | 51% | 56% | −5.1 points | 95,218 |
Why the Citroen C4 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | C4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.8% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 11.1% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 8.4% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 8.3% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 7.7% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 5.8% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 3.3% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working7.6%
- 2constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.7%
- 3ball joint excessively worn3.8%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
- 5less than 1.5 mm thick3.4%
- 6fractured or broken3.3%
- 7inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.3%
- 8not working on dipped beam2.9%
- 9ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
- 10projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.4%
Common C4 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used C4, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 20.5% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 14.2% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 10.4% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 7.7% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.1% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 4.3% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.2% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.5% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.2% |
Tips to help your C4 pass
Based on where C4s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 17.8% of C4 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 8.4% of C4 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the C4 ULEZ compliant? See the Citroen C4 ULEZ check, or view all Citroen models.
Other Citroen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 157,134 first MOT tests of the Citroen C4 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 157,134 first MOT tests of the Citroen C4.
What is the Citroen C4 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 38% of 157,134 first MOT attempts on the Citroen C4 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Citroen C4 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (17.8% of tests), suspension (11.1% of tests), brakes (8.4% of tests).
Which C4 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2021 cars performed best: 90% passed first time, −1.0 points against the average for 2-year-old cars. The weakest was 2010, at 49% (−11.6 points).
How many miles had a typical Citroen C4 covered at its MOT?
The average was 76,734 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 25,913 miles and 2005 cars 95,218.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Citroen C4?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.5% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.3% of C4s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific C4's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 157,134 C4s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 48% to 90% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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