Used car guide

2020 Citroen C4 Cactus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Citroen C4 Cactuss, from 1,904 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,904MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Citroen C4 Cactuss than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    16.6% All 2020 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2020 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.

  • Exhaust system20.3× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    6.1% All 2020 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2020 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.

  • Wipers2.9× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    8.5% All 2020 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.8% of all 2020 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.

  • Headlights5× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    3% All 2020 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.5% of all 2020 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.

  • Number plate lights3.2× usual
    Citroen C4 Cactus
    2.9% All 2020 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2020 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.

By area

The share of 2020 Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    19% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    10% 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
    6% 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
    6% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20193,889Tyres 33%
20185,370Tyres 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 2020 Citroen C4 Cactuss registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score