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Citroen C4 Cactus reliability by build year

Coverage 2014-20182 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

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

Citroen C4 Cactus 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 Cactus by number plate

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Citroen C4 Cactus 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 Cactus models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

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.

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.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

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 Cactus's generation

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

C4 Cactus Mk1

Mk1 (2014-2018)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

23.6% 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 7,268 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
353 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

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 Cactus.

See every build year for the Citroen C4 Cactus

By age

Citroen C4 Cactus fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen C4 Cactus 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
5911.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,17814.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,02217.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5,64422.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
7,26823.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,36626.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,50928.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
36930.6%

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 10 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Citroen C4 Cactus 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

5th of 7

5th lowest fail rate of 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

74th of 84

74th 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 Cactus models

These issues come from 7-year-old Citroen C4 Cactus 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

    19.1%
    Advisory: 1,891Fail: 255 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.9%
    Advisory: 1,495Fail: 153 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    12.6%
    Advisory: 853Fail: 128 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.2%
    Advisory: 1,070Fail: 191 (15% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    11.2%
    Advisory: 1,042Fail: 18 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,268 MOT tests on 7-year-old Citroen C4 Cactus 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 Cactus 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 + Tyres25%
  2. Lighting + Tyres18%
  3. Suspension + Tyres18%
  4. Emissions & exhaust + Tyres18%

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

Across 2,774 MOT tests on Citroen C4 Cactus 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

Not enough registration data to show this for the Citroen C4 Cactus.

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.

Recall context

11 recalls in all

10 of the 11 Citroen C4 Cactus recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Starter motor may not operate correctly
  • On the affected vehicles the operation of the brake vacuum pump may be affected by material detaching from the timing be
  • The brake vacuum pump may be affected by material detaching from the timing belt

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 Cactus, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 23.7% for the Citroen C4 Cactus, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    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 Cactus, both built around 2018.

    25,028 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 Cactus, 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 Cactus across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 7,268 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 Cactus ever sold: 27,415 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 7,268 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.