Used car guide

2016 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Citroen C4 Grand Picassos, from 3,454 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,454MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,400typical miles a year
5.1×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Citroen C4 Grand Picassos than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Number plate lights5.1× usual
    Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
    16.2% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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) joints5.7× usual
    Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
    10.9% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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 joints2.1× usual
    Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
    12.8% All 2016 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
    16.8% All 2016 cars
    10.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints6.8× usual
    Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
    6.8% All 2016 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 1% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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
    27% 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
    27% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    11% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% 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
20183,174Tyres 35%
20176,968Tyres 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Citroen C4 Grand Picassos registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score