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Citroen C4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present3 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Citroen C4 built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

Citroen C4 models built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Citroen C4 by number plate

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Citroen C4 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen C4 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen C4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your C4's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

C4 Mk3

Mk3 (2021-present)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

17.8% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 3,792 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C4 Mk2

Mk2 (2010-2018)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

23.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 11,010 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C4 Mk1

Mk1 (2004-2009)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

36.0% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 7,027 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Citroen C4.

See every build year for the Citroen C4

Side-by-side

Citroen C4 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (2021-present)
Poor
Poor17.8%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 3,792 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (2010-2018)
Poor
Poor23.7%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 11,010 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (2004-2009)
Poor
Poor36.0%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 7,027 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the C4, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Citroen C4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen C4 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,34714.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,61916.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,53316.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
7,30620.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
11,01023.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
19,60925.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
36,38827.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
33,97529.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
23,94830.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
14,67632.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
9,71131.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,02934.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
7,15836.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6,01135.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7,02736.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,63334.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,42634.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
48931.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 15 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Citroen C4 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Citroen models

6th of 7

6th lowest fail rate of 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

75th of 84

75th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

23.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Citroen C4 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Citroen C4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    24.1%
    Advisory: 3,922Fail: 305 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.6%
    Advisory: 1,435Fail: 414 (22% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.5%
    Advisory: 1,796Fail: 436 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.4%
    Advisory: 1,888Fail: 28 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.3%
    Advisory: 1,180Fail: 280 (19% of the times it was found)

Based on 11,010 MOT tests on 7-year-old Citroen C4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Citroen C4 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres31%
  2. Suspension + Tyres24%
  3. Lighting + Tyres20%
  4. Brakes + Suspension18%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 4,152 MOT tests on Citroen C4 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

91%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

65 recalls in all

57 of the 65 Citroen C4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 51 more

Top concerns

  • Citroen fuel pipe
  • Loss of control
  • Fuel may leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 23.7% for the Citroen C4, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 23.7% for the Citroen C4, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 23.7% for the Citroen C4, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 23.7% for the Citroen C4, both built around 2018.

    11,074 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Citroen C4 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 6th lowest fail rate of 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 11,010 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen C4 ever sold: 204,895 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 11,010 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.