Citroen DS4 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 10,617 MOT tests on the Citroen DS4 carried out in 2023. 43% 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 DS4s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2011 to 2015. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (56% passed, −9.3 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2013 models fared worst (55%, −13.4 points). Tested cars had covered 84,734 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 18.1% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt", on 8.8% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 10,617
- First-time pass rate
- 57%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −14.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 84,734
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular DS4?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
DS4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,089 | 65% | 75% | −10.7 points | 66,283 |
| 2014 | 2,249 | 61% | 72% | −11.2 points | 75,878 |
| 2013 | 3,684 | 55% | 68% | −13.4 points | 85,949 |
| 2012 | 2,375 | 56% | 66% | −9.3 points | 94,303 |
| 2011 | 1,177 | 54% | 63% | −9.4 points | 96,949 |
Why the Citroen DS4 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | DS4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 18.1% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 14.4% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 10.3% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 9.6% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 9.6% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 4.9% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 3.6% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.5% | 3.1% |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.6% | 1.0% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.8%
- 2fractured or broken8.5%
- 3inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps7.6%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm5.8%
- 5ball joint excessively worn4.3%
- 6projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.3%
- 7not working3.3%
- 8less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
- 9ball joint has excessive play2.5%
- 10too low2.3%
Common DS4 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used DS4, 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 | 23.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 17.2% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.8% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.3% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.1% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.9% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.5% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 3.2% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.2% |
Tips to help your DS4 pass
Based on where DS4s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 18.1% of DS4 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 · 9.6% of DS4 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 DS4 ULEZ compliant? See the Citroen DS4 ULEZ check, or view all Citroen models.
Other Citroen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 10,617 first MOT tests of the Citroen DS4 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 10,617 first MOT tests of the Citroen DS4.
What is the Citroen DS4 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 43% of 10,617 first MOT attempts on the Citroen DS4 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Citroen DS4 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (18.1% of tests), suspension (14.4% of tests), tyres (10.3% of tests).
Which DS4 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 56% passed first time, −9.3 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2013, at 55% (−13.4 points).
How many miles had a typical Citroen DS4 covered at its MOT?
The average was 84,734 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2015 cars averaged 66,283 miles and 2011 cars 96,949.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Citroen DS4?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 23.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 10.3% of DS4s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific DS4's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 10,617 DS4s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 54% to 65% 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 · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any DS4's MOT history
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