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Citroen e-C4 Mk1 (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Citroen e-C4 Mk1 built around 2021: fails its MOT more often than average

Citroen e-C4 Mk1 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 e-C4 Mk1?

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

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Citroen e-C4 Mk1 models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 11% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen e-C4 Mk1 models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Citroen e-C4 Mk1
poor reliability2021-presentHatchbackELECTRICITY

Based on 4,381 tests of e-C4 models registered 2021+.

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

Based on 2,842 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 25 e-C4 Mk1 MOTs (4.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,028 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 e-C4 Mk1 MOTs (3.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 1,028 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 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
3,35315.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,02819.5%

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 e-C4 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the e-C4 Mk1 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
3,35315.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,02819.5%

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.

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.

Visibility

Worth checking

Inspect the visibility carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 e-C4 Mk1.

  1. 1

    Mazda 2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.2%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 19.5% for the Citroen e-C4 Mk1, both built around 2021.

    4,456 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 19.5% for the Citroen e-C4 Mk1, both built around 2021.

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

    37,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Toyota GR Yaris

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    2.9%

    Lower fail rate: 7.0%, against 19.5% for the Citroen e-C4 Mk1, both built around 2021.

    2,346 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    BMW i3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    86.5%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 19.5% for the Citroen e-C4 Mk1, both built around 2021.

    4,411 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

15 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the Citroen C4, the model this one is based on.

14 of the 15 e-C4 Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • Citroen fuel pipe
  • The rear suspension spring may become detached from the lower locating cup
  • Alternator protection

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

Mk1 variants compared

e-C4 Mk1 variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each e-C4 Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Electricity

  • E-C4 SHINE +18.1%623 tests
  • E-C4 SHINE18.1%238 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Citroen e-C4 models of this age

This list covers every Citroen e-C4 built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 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

    24.3%
    Advisory: 353Fail: 17 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    13.5%
    Advisory: 201Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    10.9%
    Advisory: 106Fail: 31 (23% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.0%
    Advisory: 74Fail: 23 (24% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Wiper does not clear the windscreen properly

    6.9%
    Advisory: 24Fail: 60 (71% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,030 tests

Looking at a Citroen e-C4 Mk1?

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 e-C4 Mk1 (2021-present) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,028 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 4,381 MOT tests on Citroen e-C4 models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.