CITROEN C4 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,756 MOT tests from 321 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every CITROEN C4 has the same fault.

CITROEN C4's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 547/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN C4 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the CITROEN C4.

CITROEN C4 (example)

Check a Citroen C4 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	729/999Very good	84,628 miles	653 vehicles
N/A	N/A	676/999Good	66,517 miles	1,451 vehicles
N/A	N/A	628/999Good	69,847 miles	2,530 vehicles
N/A	N/A	627/999Good	79,517 miles	3,994 vehicles
N/A	N/A	620/999Good	70,690 miles	2,797 vehicles
N/A	N/A	574/999Above average	78,844 miles	696 vehicles
N/A	N/A	572/999Above average	77,726 miles	14,729 vehicles
N/A	N/A	549/999Above average	78,437 miles	15,044 vehicles
N/A	N/A	521/999Above average	81,364 miles	592 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	78,977 miles	5,568 vehicles
N/A	N/A	431/999Average	81,001 miles	5,890 vehicles
N/A	N/A	428/999Average	113,633 miles	1,273 vehicles
N/A	N/A	412/999Average	78,172 miles	3,112 vehicles
N/A	N/A	410/999Average	79,388 miles	755 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN C4?

Based on 3,756 MOT tests from 321 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

321

MOT tests

3,756

Pass rate

76.1%

Median mileage

81,080 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN C4 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 648 out of 999.

Common CITROEN C4 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 755 advisory comments and 85 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 278 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 184 advisory comments and 29 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 78 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 77 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 17 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 13 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE STOP LAMP(S) NOT WORKING (4.3.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 13 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER NOT WORKING (3.5 (A))

CITROEN C4 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	7	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	17	17	88.2%	Brake disc wear, Brake pad wear
2022	11	21	90.5%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2021	14	49	85.7%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2019	10	59	84.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	9	55	89.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	25	253	79.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	26	305	75.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	55	722	74.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	28	398	75.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	25	369	77%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	15	247	75.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	9	160	79.4%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2009	10	188	77.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2008	15	303	76.2%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2007	10	197	75.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used CITROEN C4

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a CITROEN C4?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN C4s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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