MPV and people carrier · 2007–2020 cars
Citroën C4 Grand Picasso reliability
The Citroën C4 Grand Picasso fails 28.6% of first MOT tests, 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 45,965 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 28.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 49% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 45,965
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso ages
Each point is the share of Citroën C4 Grand Picassos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën C4 Grand Picasso | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 23.1% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 26.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 30.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 33.9% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 33.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 46.4% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 43.7% | 31.8% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën C4 Grand Picasso years
2018 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 C4 Grand Picasso | 10,439 | 23.7% | 46% more fails | 44,035 |
| 2017 C4 Grand Picasso | 22,366 | 28.6% | 53% more fails | 50,945 |
| 2016 C4 Grand Picasso | 10,795 | 31.2% | 49% more fails | 57,575 |
| 2015 | 943 | 33.6% | 29% more fails | 76,226 |
| 2014 | 589 | 44.5% | 55% more fails | 76,376 |
| 2013 | 200 | 38% | 18% more fails | 84,093 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 275% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.6%96% above avg
- Tyres7.9%36% above avg
- Brakes6.3%63% above avg
- Suspension6%69% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure4%275% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.9%16% above avg
- Steering1.4%113% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%30% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.8%83% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 4.18% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.64% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.56% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.39% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 2.09% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 6
Registration plate lamp not working 2.03% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 1.89% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.89% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit18.71%
- Brake pads wearing thin12.45%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.85%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.58%
- Child seat limits belt inspection6.57%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.32%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
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.
- 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
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Grand Picasso covers about 9,500 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
- Diesel92.8%
- Petrol7.2%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, Red, White, Black
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | 17% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Elgrand | 29% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 33.5% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Altea | 41.2% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo | 25.6% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Carens | 35.6% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Grand Picasso | 28.6% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Citroën models.
Questions
Citroën C4 Grand Picasso questions, answered
Is the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso is well below average: it fails 28.6% of first MOT tests, 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 46 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (4.18% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (2.64% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.56% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.6% of its tests.
Which Citroën C4 Grand Picasso year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (46% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (53% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso do a year?
A typical Citroën C4 Grand Picasso covers about 9,500 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 Grand Picasso 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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