Small SUV · 2014–2021 cars
Citroën C4 Cactus reliability
The Citroën C4 Cactus fails 24.9% of first MOT tests, 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 64,722 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën C4 Cactus before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 24.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 54% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 64,722
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën C4 Cactus ages
Each point is the share of Citroën C4 Cactuss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën C4 Cactus | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 21.1% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 25.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 28.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 32.5% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 40.5% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 37.1% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën C4 Cactus years
2020 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 C4 Cactus | 3,102 | 12.6% | 11% more fails | 24,057 |
| 2019 C4 Cactus | 10,641 | 19.5% | 50% more fails | 30,289 |
| 2018 C4 Cactus | 18,065 | 21.9% | 51% more fails | 35,169 |
| 2017 C4 Cactus | 19,556 | 26.8% | 56% more fails | 42,512 |
| 2016 C4 Cactus | 11,832 | 33.1% | 63% more fails | 51,945 |
| 2015 C4 Cactus | 1,231 | 36.4% | 54% more fails | 59,837 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën C4 Cactus
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 509% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9%119% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%147% above avg
- Tyres5.6%9% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.5%509% above avg
- Brakes3.9%28% above avg
- Suspension2.5%2% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%26% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.2%30% below avg
- Steering0.2%56% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.67% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.28% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.26% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.24% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.77% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.43% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Registration plate lamp not working 1.34% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 8
Exhaust system insecurely mounted 1.27% of tests
A loose exhaust can drop or hit the road, causing damage and noise, so it must be secured.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën C4 Cactus's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.79%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.96%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.71%
- Exhaust mounting defective6.61%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.39%
- Brake discs showing some wear4.01%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën C4 Cactus
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
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.
- 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 Cactus covers about 8,000 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
- Petrol73.5%
- Diesel26.5%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, White, Blue, Purple
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën C4 Cactus compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 12.4% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-3 | 13.2% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Stonic | 11.9% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Kona | 11.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Aircross | 14% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZS | 18.3% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Cactus | 24.9% | 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Citroën models.
Questions
Citroën C4 Cactus questions, answered
Is the Citroën C4 Cactus reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën C4 Cactus is well below average: it fails 24.9% of first MOT tests, 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 40 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën C4 Cactus MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C4 Cactus are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.67% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.28% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.26% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 9% of its tests.
Which Citroën C4 Cactus year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (11% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (63% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën C4 Cactus do a year?
A typical Citroën C4 Cactus covers about 8,000 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 Cactus 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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