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Citroen C4 Mk3 (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Citroen C4 Mk3 built around 2021: fails its MOT more often than average

Citroen C4 Mk3 models built around 2021 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Citroen C4 Mk3?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Citroen C4 Mk3 models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 12% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen C4 Mk3 models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Citroen C4 Mk3
poor reliability2021-presentHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 10,139 tests of C4 models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 6 petrol C4 cars registered in 2022 (16.8%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 3,838 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 40 C4 Mk3 MOTs (2.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,792 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 C4 Mk3 MOTs (4.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 3,792 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,34714.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,79217.8%

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 4 years old.

How the C4 Mk3 compares

At each age below, see how the C4 Mk3 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 48,865 tests across 9 Citroen models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateCitroen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,34714.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,79217.8%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the C4 Mk3.

  1. 1

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.9%, against 17.8% for the Citroen C4 Mk3, both built around 2021.

    4,405 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 7.3%, against 17.8% for the Citroen C4 Mk3, both built around 2021.

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

    1,156 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 10.1%, against 17.8% for the Citroen C4 Mk3, both built around 2021.

    8,591 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Hyundai i20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.8%, against 17.8% for the Citroen C4 Mk3, both built around 2021.

    6,173 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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.

Recall context

65 recalls in all

18 of the 65 C4 Mk3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 17 more

Top concerns

  • Citroen fuel pipe
  • Alternator protection
  • Citroen DV5R engines camshaft chain.

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

Mk3 variants compared

C4 Mk3 variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each C4 Mk3 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • C4 SHINE PURETECH S/S19.4%929 tests
  • C4 SENSE + PURETECH S/S21.3%621 tests
  • C4 SHINE + PURETECH S/S AUTO17.5%400 tests
  • C4 SHINE PURETECH S/S AUTO19.9%347 tests
  • C4 SENSE + PURETECH S/S AUTO13.5%296 tests
  • C4 CACTUS14.0%294 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Citroen C4 models of this age

This list covers every Citroen C4 built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 on its own.

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

    20.9%
    Advisory: 1,371Fail: 77 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    14.6%
    Advisory: 961Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.2%
    Advisory: 571Fail: 115 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.2%
    Advisory: 436Fail: 57 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    5.8%
    Advisory: 256Fail: 63 (20% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,619 tests

Looking at a Citroen C4 Mk3?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Citroen C4 Mk3 (2021-present) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,792 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 10,139 MOT tests on Citroen C4 models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.