Used car guide

2014 Citroen C4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Citroen C4s, from 19,797 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

19,797MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,100typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Citroen C4s than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Number plate lights3.1× usual
    Citroen C4
    16.2% All 2014 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3× usual
    Citroen C4
    11.5% All 2014 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 1.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers6.4× usual
    Citroen C4
    9% All 2014 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 0.8% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Citroen C4
    9.8% All 2014 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.3% of all 2014 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
    Citroen C4
    13.1% All 2014 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2014 Citroen C4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    12% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Citroen C4?

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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%
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%
2005644Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Citroen C4s registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score