At a Glance
The Citroen C4 has 26 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2004-2010) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 1.8M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Citroen C4 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Citroen C4 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Citroen C4 Generations
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Most Common Citroen C4 MOT Failures
Every reason Citroen C4 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp not working | 9.51% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.02% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 6.49% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.48% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.93% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.81% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.43% |
| 8 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.87% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.77% |
| 10 | Track rod end worn | 3.61% |
| 11 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.61% |
| 12 | Driveshaft fault | 2.96% |
| 13 | Front lamp not working | 2.96% |
| 14 | Position lamp not working | 2.76% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.55% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 2.21% |
| 17 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.13% |
| 18 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.03% |
| 19 | Exhaust system fault | 1.55% |
| 20 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.45% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.08% |
| 22 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.00% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.95% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 0.69% |
| 25 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.65% |
| 26 | ABS fault | 0.57% |
| 27 | Rear lamp not working | 0.56% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.54% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.54% |
| 30 | Fog lamp not working | 0.41% |
| 31 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.41% |
| 32 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.40% |
| 33 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.37% |
| 34 | Rear suspension fault | 0.34% |
| 35 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.33% |
| 36 | Seat belt condition | 0.32% |
| 37 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.25% |
| 39 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.25% |
| 40 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.25% |
| 41 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.23% |
| 42 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.19% |
| 43 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.19% |
| 44 | Brake pedal fault | 0.19% |
| 45 | Steering arm worn | 0.18% |
| 46 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.18% |
| 47 | Front suspension fault | 0.17% |
| 48 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.17% |
| 49 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 50 | Horn not working | 0.14% |
| 51 | Engine oil leak | 0.14% |
| 52 | Chassis condition | 0.12% |
| 53 | Steering free play excessive | 0.11% |
| 54 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.11% |
| 55 | Drag link end worn | 0.11% |
| 56 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.10% |
| 58 | Parking brake condition | 0.10% |
| 59 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.10% |
| 60 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 61 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 63 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 64 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 65 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.07% |
| 66 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 68 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 69 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.07% |
| 70 | Passenger seat fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Driver seat fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 74 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 78 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Brake fluid leak | 0.03% |
| 81 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 82 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 83 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 84 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 85 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Electrical switch fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 90 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 91 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 96 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 98 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 99 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 100 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 106 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 110 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 112 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 115 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 116 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 118 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 119 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 122 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 123 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 126 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 136 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 137 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 161 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 162 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 169 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 171 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 179 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Citroen C4 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Citroen C4, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Citroen C4 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.8M Citroen C4 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 26 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Citroen C4 generation has the most problems?
The Citroen C4 Mk1 (2004-2010) (2004–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (23). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Citroen C4?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Citroen C4 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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