Family hatchback · 2011–2018 cars
Citroën DS4 reliability
The Citroën DS4 fails 42.3% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 36,318 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën DS4 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 42.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 33% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 36,318
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën DS4 ages
Each point is the share of Citroën DS4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën DS4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 28.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 35.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 38.5% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 41.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 44.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 45.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 43.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 54.1% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën DS4 years
2011 cars come out best and 2015 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 DS4 | 3,716 | 34.4% | 39% more fails | 63,911 |
| 2014 DS4 | 7,658 | 39.7% | 39% more fails | 74,035 |
| 2013 DS4 | 12,624 | 44.1% | 37% more fails | 84,855 |
| 2012 DS4 | 8,148 | 44.2% | 26% more fails | 93,206 |
| 2011 DS4 | 4,020 | 45.4% | 22% more fails | 95,028 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën DS4
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 182% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.2%46% above avg
- Suspension14.2%34% above avg
- Tyres10.5%47% above avg
- Brakes9.7%38% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.3%182% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.1%11% above avg
- Steering3.8%69% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.4%21% below avg
- Wheels0.6%41% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.49% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.02% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Registration plate lamp not working 6.48% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 5.19% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.92% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.58% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.26% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.21% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën DS4's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit20.7%
- Brake disc pitted or scored14.95%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.45%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.59%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.18%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive3.53%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën DS4
- 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
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Registration plate lamp not working
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 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 DS4 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
- Diesel90.1%
- Petrol9.9%
Most common colours
White, Black, Grey, Red, Silver
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën DS4 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Insight | 29.1% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 33.2% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Bora | 41.4% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 35% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Coupe | 48% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS4 | 42.3% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Tipo | 26.1% | 52% 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 DS4 questions, answered
Is the Citroën DS4 reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën DS4 is well below average: it fails 42.3% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 61 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën DS4 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën DS4 are cv joint boot split or insecure (7.49% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (7.02% of tests), registration plate lamp not working (6.48% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18.2% of its tests.
Which Citroën DS4 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (22% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (39% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën DS4 do a year?
A typical Citroën DS4 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 DS4 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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