Used car guide

2013 Citroen C4 Picasso: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Citroen C4 Picassos, from 149 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 149 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

149MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Citroen C4 Picassos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    28.2% All 2013 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Citroen C4 Picasso MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Tyres
    38% 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
    38% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    9% 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
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Front suspension and fuel leak recalls
    Built 2013 to 2015

    Front wishbone bolts could fail (built Mar 2013 to Jan 2015), the fuel rail could leak onto hot parts (built Jan to July 2014) and the fuel filter heater could melt (built to Jan 2014).

    At the viewing: Ask a Citroen dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Citroen C4 Picasso (2013-2018) reliability

  • Engine, starter and door recalls
    All engines

    Recalls also covered engine failure (built Oct to Nov 2017), a turbo oil leak (built early 2016), overheating software (built 2012 to 2015), starter motor wiring and a relay that could catch fire, doors that could open (built 2015), rear seatbelts and the bonnet skin.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof every recall was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Citroen C4 Picasso (2013-2018) reliability

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)
    1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

    The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

    Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,157Tyres 32%
20173,001Tyres 31%
20161,678Tyres 33%
2015315Tyres 33%
2014282Tyres 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Citroen C4 Picassos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score