Used car guide

2005 Citroen C4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Citroen C4s, from 644 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

644MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,300typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Citroen C4s than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Brake discs2.1× usual
    Citroen C4
    29.5% All 2005 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.9× usual
    Citroen C4
    15.2% All 2005 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake lights2.1× usual
    Citroen C4
    11.6% All 2005 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 4.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
    Citroen C4
    7.3% All 2005 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2005 Citroen C4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    45% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Steering
    18% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,935Tyres 25%
20214,508Tyres 26%
20201,216Tyres 32%
20194,989Tyres 33%
20182,727Tyres 32%
2017954Tyres 29%
201617,097Tyres 34%
201526,960Tyres 35%
201419,797Suspension 39%
201311,424Suspension 40%
20127,569Suspension 41%
20116,041Suspension 45%
20104,858Lights and electrics 45%
20093,855Lights and electrics 44%
20085,078Lights and electrics 48%
20073,824Suspension 47%
20061,273Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Citroen C4s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score