MPV and people carrier · 2003–2019 cars
Citroën C4 Picasso reliability
The Citroën C4 Picasso fails 23.9% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 22,659 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën C4 Picasso before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 23.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 22,659
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën C4 Picasso ages
Each point is the share of Citroën C4 Picassos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën C4 Picasso | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 19.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 22.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 26.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 32.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 33.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 43% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 44.3% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën C4 Picasso years
2017 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 C4 Picasso | 3,825 | 17.9% | 22% more fails | 35,244 |
| 2017 C4 Picasso | 9,965 | 20.3% | 19% more fails | 42,453 |
| 2016 C4 Picasso | 5,534 | 25.7% | 33% more fails | 47,688 |
| 2015 | 943 | 29.1% | 22% more fails | 61,716 |
| 2014 | 889 | 36.6% | 33% more fails | 70,478 |
| 2013 | 451 | 39.5% | 35% more fails | 71,861 |
| 2012 | 225 | 45.8% | 39% more fails | 79,628 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën C4 Picasso
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 147% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics8.6%56% above avg
- Tyres6%9% above avg
- Suspension5.8%46% above avg
- Brakes4.6%22% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%14% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3%147% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%26% below avg
- Steering1.1%45% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%42% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.33% 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 1.97% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.77% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 1.7% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 5
Headlamp aim set too low 1.56% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 6
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.46% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 7
Registration plate lamp not working 1.39% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.37% 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 Picasso's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.85%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.56%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.4%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.89%
- Linkage ball joint slight play4.51%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.43%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën C4 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
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should 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 Picasso covers about 7,900 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
- Diesel81.2%
- Petrol18.8%
Most common colours
Blue, Grey, Red, White, Beige
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën C4 Picasso compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Viano | 33.6% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda FR-V | 44.1% | about average for its age |
| Chrysler Grand Voyager | 41.7% | about average for its age |
| Kia Sedona | 45.5% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Picasso | 23.9% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Grand C4 Picasso | 50.5% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i800 | 37% | 46% 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 Picasso questions, answered
Is the Citroën C4 Picasso reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën C4 Picasso is well below average: it fails 23.9% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 40 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën C4 Picasso MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C4 Picasso are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.33% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (1.97% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.77% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8.6% of its tests.
Which Citroën C4 Picasso year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (33% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën C4 Picasso do a year?
A typical Citroën C4 Picasso covers about 7,900 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 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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