Family hatchback · 2001–2021 cars

Citroën C4 reliability

The Citroën C4 fails 39.4% of first MOT tests, 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 472,948 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 23/100#59 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Citroën C4 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 39.4%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 30% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 472,948; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Citroën C4 has a below-average MOT record. Its first-time fail rate is 39.4%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 30% more MOT fails, and ranks 59 of 65 family hatchback models. The weakest area is body, chassis and structure, with 139% more fails than comparable cars. Model years vary: 2005 is the best at 16% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and 2016 the weakest at 42% more.

A higher fail rate isn't a reason to walk away if you check the right things. The most common MOT failures across 472,948 tests (2022 to 2024) were CV joint boots, stop lamps, tyre tread and position lamps. Check the CV joint boots for splits or looseness, test every stop and position lamp, measure the tyre tread, and inspect the body and structure.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Citroën C4 ages

Each point is the share of Citroën C4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Citroën C4All cars

Citroën C4 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Citroën C4	All cars
3	16.6%	12.3%
4	18.5%	14.1%
5	24.1%	16.4%
6	28.2%	19.1%
7	32.6%	22.1%
8	36.3%	25.5%
9	39.8%	28.8%
10	42.7%	31.8%
11	44.7%	34.6%
12	47.4%	37.3%
13	50.4%	39.5%
14	51.3%	41.1%
15	52.1%	42.3%
16	52.3%	42.9%
17	50.8%	43.4%
18	47.6%	43.5%
19	52.5%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Citroën C4 years

2005 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Citroën C4 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 C4	2,030	16.3%	38% more fails	27,035
2020 C4	2,836	15.2%	23% more fails	29,017
2019 C4	13,839	18.8%	39% more fails	32,642
2018 C4	9,371	20.4%	35% more fails	38,014
2017 C4	3,384	24.3%	25% more fails	55,420
2016 C4	59,885	30.9%	42% more fails	57,915
2015 C4	94,962	34%	37% more fails	66,195
2014 C4	71,189	38.4%	35% more fails	75,078
2013 C4	42,259	42.1%	35% more fails	79,785
2012 C4	29,750	42.5%	24% more fails	87,690
2011 C4	25,961	44.2%	19% more fails	94,521
2010 C4	24,337	50.4%	27% more fails	99,202
2009 C4	21,653	51%	25% more fails	99,586
2008 C4	32,481	52.7%	24% more fails	103,681
2007 C4	25,846	51.5%	20% more fails	102,292
2006 C4	8,481	50.6%	20% more fails	90,933
2005 C4	4,499	48.7%	16% more fails	91,856

Common problems

What fails most on a Citroën C4

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 139% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics18.8%57% above avg
Suspension11.6%18% above avg
Brakes8.7%25% above avg
Tyres8.2%21% above avg
Body, chassis and structure8.2%139% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.9%26% above avg
Steering3.7%81% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%2% above avg
Seat belts and airbags1.2%33% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.35% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
2
Stop lamp not working 3.73% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.42% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Position lamp not working 3.28% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Registration plate lamp not working 3.1% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
6
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.08% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.92% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.6% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën C4's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.75%
Brake disc pitted or scored12.7%
Brake pads wearing thin8.7%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.14%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.9%
Engine oil leak, not excessive4.92%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Citroën C4

1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Citroën C4 covers about 8,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel78.7%
Petrol21.3%
Electric0%
LPG0%
Other0%
Hybrid0%

Most common colours

Grey, Blue, Red, Silver, Black

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the Citroën C4 compares with its rivals

Citroën C4 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Toyota Prius	20.9%	31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 2 Series	14.3%	20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Auris	26.2%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Ceed	32.7%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 308	35.2%	18% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Megane	45.1%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C4	39.4%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Citroën models.

Questions

Citroën C4 questions, answered

Is the Citroën C4 reliable?

On MOT results, the Citroën C4 is well below average: it fails 39.4% of first MOT tests, 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 59 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Citroën C4 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C4 are cv joint boot split or insecure (5.35% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.73% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.42% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18.8% of its tests.

Which Citroën C4 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (42% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Citroën C4 do a year?

A typical Citroën C4 covers about 8,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Citroën C4 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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