Used car guide

2014 Citroen DS4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Citroen DS4s, from 2,120 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,120MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
7,900typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Citroen DS4s than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Number plate lights4.3× usual
    Citroen DS4
    22.2% All 2014 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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) joints4.1× usual
    Citroen DS4
    11.2% All 2014 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Citroen DS4
    22.3% All 2014 cars
    13.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2014 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.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Citroen DS4
    13.8% All 2014 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, against 3.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Citroen DS4
    7.9% All 2014 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.3% of all 2014 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.

By area

The share of 2014 Citroen DS4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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
    34% 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
    33% 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
    32% 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.

  • 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 DS4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,045Tyres 37%
20133,339Suspension 42%
20122,067Suspension 43%
2011962Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Citroen DS4s registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score