Citroen C4 Picasso MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 12,103 MOT tests on the Citroen C4 Picasso carried out in 2023. 36% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 C4 Picassos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2007 to 2018. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2018 models did best (83% passed, −1.0 points against the average for 5-year-old cars), while 2011 models fared worst (49%, −14.0 points). Tested cars had covered 72,168 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 17.7% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 9.2% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 12,103
- First-time pass rate
- 64%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −7.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 72,168
- All cars: 73,145
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C4 Picasso 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,161 | 83% | 84% | −1.0 points | 37,023 |
| 2017 | 2,988 | 79% | 82% | −2.4 points | 44,820 |
| 2016 | 1,699 | 76% | 79% | −3.1 points | 50,503 |
| 2015 | 322 | 66% | 75% | −9.3 points | 65,728 |
| 2014 | 360 | 63% | 72% | −9.2 points | 74,047 |
| 2013 | 178 | 58% | 68% | −9.8 points | 77,355 |
| 2012 | 854 | 54% | 66% | −11.4 points | 94,937 |
| 2011 | 1,207 | 49% | 63% | −14.0 points | 99,394 |
| 2010 | 1,459 | 47% | 60% | −13.3 points | 104,400 |
| 2009 | 1,446 | 46% | 59% | −12.7 points | 105,706 |
| 2008 | 336 | 48% | 57% | −9.2 points | 103,533 |
| 2007 | 68 | 49% | 57% | −8.4 points | 109,496 |
Why the Citroen C4 Picasso fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | C4 Picasso | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.7% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 10.8% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 8.1% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 7.3% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 6.4% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 5.4% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 2.4% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working9.2%
- 2ball joint excessively worn5.2%
- 3constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.7%
- 4inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.3%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
- 7fractured or broken2.9%
- 8not working on dipped beam2.8%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
- 10too low1.8%
Common C4 Picasso MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used C4 Picasso, 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 | 20.7% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 14.0% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 10.6% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 7.7% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 7.2% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.5% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 4.6% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.0% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.8% |
Tips to help your C4 Picasso pass
Based on where C4 Picassos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 17.7% of C4 Picasso 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 · 8.1% of C4 Picasso 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 Picasso ULEZ compliant? See the Citroen C4 Picasso ULEZ check, or view all Citroen models.
Other Citroen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 12,103 first MOT tests of the Citroen C4 Picasso 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 12,103 first MOT tests of the Citroen C4 Picasso.
What is the Citroen C4 Picasso MOT failure rate?
In our data, 36% of 12,103 first MOT attempts on the Citroen C4 Picasso ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Citroen C4 Picasso fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (17.7% of tests), suspension (10.8% of tests), brakes (8.1% of tests).
Which C4 Picasso year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2018 cars performed best: 83% passed first time, −1.0 points against the average for 5-year-old cars. The weakest was 2011, at 49% (−14.0 points).
How many miles had a typical Citroen C4 Picasso covered at its MOT?
The average was 72,168 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2018 cars averaged 37,023 miles and 2007 cars 109,496.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Citroen C4 Picasso?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.3% of C4 Picassos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific C4 Picasso's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 12,103 C4 Picassos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 46% to 83% 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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