Used car guide

2011 Citroen DS4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Citroen DS4s, from 962 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

962MOT tests in 2025

50%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

7,600typical miles a year

2.7×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Citroen DS4s than on all cars registered in 2011.

Number plate lights2.7× usual

Citroen DS4
21.8% All 2011 cars
8.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.
Ball joint2.7× usual

Citroen DS4
16.2% All 2011 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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.
Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual

Citroen DS4
14.7% All 2011 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.
Individual direction indicators3.3× usual

Citroen DS4
10.1% All 2011 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Track rod ends2× usual

Citroen DS4
10.5% All 2011 cars
5.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 2.7% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars. Sidelights: 2.8% here, against 5.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Citroen DS4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

48% 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.
Tyres

42% 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.
Lights and electrics

42% 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

34% 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

15% 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

12% 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.

Looking at a Citroen DS4?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2015	1,045	Tyres 37%
2014	2,120	Tyres 38%
2013	3,339	Suspension 42%
2012	2,067	Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Citroen DS4s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score