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Citroen C4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Citroen C4 car check

Is the Citroen C4 reliable? We analysed 3,110,282 real MOT tests across 237,183 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,110,282 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.0%
Typical Mileage
63,336mi
Annual Mileage
7,034mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Citroen C4 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, stop lamp not working and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen C4.

Citroen C4 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Citroen C4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Citroen C4 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Citroen C4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.6%
2022
84.6%
2021
84.8%
2020
83.3%
2019
82.7%
2018
82.2%
2017
78.2%
2016
77.2%
2015
76.2%
2014
74.2%
2013
74.4%
2012
74.4%
2011
69.6%
2010
69.5%
2009
69.1%
2008
69.5%
2007
68.9%
2006
67.9%
2005
67.1%
2004
75%
2003

Citroen C4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Citroen C4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 68,682
Stop lamp not working 57,397
position lamp(s) not working 51,823
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 46,041
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 39,505
Registration plate lamp not working 38,979
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 22,873
Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect 22,307
coil spring broken 22,000

Citroen C4 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Citroen C4 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 54,637

Citroen C4 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Citroen C4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,457 mi/yr
Typical
7,034 mi/yr
Average
8,198 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,290 mi/yr

Citroen C4 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen C4 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2022 152 83.6% 15,492 24,879 33,458
2021 357 84.6% 16,688 25,981 35,516
2020 540 84.8% 18,070 26,964 37,391
2019 25,110 83.3% 23,016 34,551 49,041
2018 17,579 82.7% 25,046 38,253 55,152
2017 8,760 82.2% 28,989 49,333 81,414
2016 170,478 78.2% 33,615 50,152 71,041
2015 306,392 77.2% 36,783 54,793 76,609
2014 265,504 76.2% 39,567 59,899 83,785
2013 185,118 74.2% 39,708 60,946 85,712
2012 146,857 74.4% 41,986 65,251 92,098
2011 148,173 74.4% 44,011 68,711 95,999
2010 176,527 69.6% 43,324 68,161 95,499
2009 202,236 69.5% 43,269 67,988 94,928
2008 430,176 69.1% 45,281 69,562 96,060
2007 484,699 69.5% 44,974 68,975 95,510
2006 259,976 68.9% 41,630 63,929 90,201
2005 260,552 67.9% 42,652 65,246 91,525
2004 11,076 67.1% 46,546 70,346 97,393
2003 340 75.0% 45,812 67,250 90,391

How Long Does a Citroen C4 Last?

Based on 237,183 Citroen C4 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.9 years
Median
11.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Citroen C4 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Citroen C4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
63,336 mi
75th Percentile
89,678 mi
95th Percentile
132,513 mi
Max Recorded
1,567,228 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Citroen C4

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2020

84.8% MOT pass rate from 540 tests

Year to avoid
2001

66.6% MOT pass rate from 1,643 tests

The best year to buy a used Citroen C4 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.8% across 540 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Citroen C4 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Citroen C4 THIS CAR 72.0% 3,110,282 63,336 mi 21 yrs
Citroen Xsara 69.1% 5,047,330 77,497 mi 28 yrs
Citroen Berlingo 70.1% 4,453,235 83,738 mi 29 yrs
Citroen C3 72.7% 4,435,918 53,913 mi 24 yrs
Rover 214 67.6% 1,033,973 75,438 mi 36 yrs

Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen C4 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Citroen C4?

The Citroen C4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.0% across 3,110,282 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Citroen C4 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (68,682 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (57,397), and position lamp(s) not working (51,823). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Citroen C4 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Citroen C4 owner drives around 7,034 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Citroen C4 models stay on UK roads for around 21 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Citroen C4 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Citroen C4 reliable?
Based on 3,110,282 MOT tests, the Citroen C4 has a 72.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Citroen C4?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, stop lamp not working, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Citroen C4 do per year?
The typical Citroen C4 does around 7,034 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Citroen C4 last?
Most Citroen C4 models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 237,183 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Citroen C4?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Citroen C4?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Citroen C4 is 2020 with a 84.8% pass rate across 540 tests.