Used car guide

2017 Citroen C4 Cactus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Citroen C4 Cactuss, from 5,804 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,804MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
7,100typical miles a year
9.9×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Citroen C4 Cactuss than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Exhaust system9.9× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    14.9% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.4% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Number plate lights5× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    11.9% All 2017 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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) joints4.5× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    6.7% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.8% of all 2017 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    9.4% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Headlights3.5× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    4.5% All 2017 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2017 Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% 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
    22% 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.

  • Suspension
    18% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20201,904Tyres 27%
20193,889Tyres 33%
20185,370Tyres 33%
20163,489Tyres 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Citroen C4 Cactuss registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score