Used car guide

2018 Citroen C4 Cactus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Citroen C4 Cactuss, from 5,370 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,370MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,000typical miles a year
11×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Citroen C4 Cactuss than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Exhaust system11× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    12.1% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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
    9% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    17.2% All 2018 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Wipers2.7× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    6.7% All 2018 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    6.8% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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 2018 Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    21% 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
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    15% 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
    13% 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
    11% 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 Cactus?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20201,904Tyres 27%
20193,889Tyres 33%
20175,804Tyres 34%
20163,489Tyres 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Citroen C4 Cactuss registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score