Used car guide

2006 Citroen C4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Citroen C4s, from 1,273 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,273MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,700typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Citroen C4s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Brake discs1.9× usual
    Citroen C4
    26.7% All 2006 cars
    14.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1% of all 2006 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
    15.4% All 2006 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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 lights2.5× usual
    Citroen C4
    14.9% All 2006 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.3%, against 4.6% of all 2006 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 indicators2.6× usual
    Citroen C4
    9.8% All 2006 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.6% of all 2006 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.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    Citroen C4
    11.6% All 2006 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.1% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars. Sub-frame: 2% here, against 7.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Citroen C4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    41% 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.

  • 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
    13% 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%
2005644Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Citroen C4s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score