Used car guide

2016 Citroen C4 Picasso: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Citroen C4 Picassos, from 1,678 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,678MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,000typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

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

  • Number plate lights3.4× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    10.8% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    11.7% All 2016 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.7× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    7.1% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints6.1× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    6.1% All 2016 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses4.2× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    2.1% All 2016 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

By area

The share of 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso 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.

  • Suspension
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% 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.

Looking at a Citroen C4 Picasso?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,157Tyres 32%
20173,001Tyres 31%

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