Used car guide

2012 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Citroen Grand C4 Picassos, from 626 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

626MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,100typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Citroen Grand C4 Picassos than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Number plate lights2.7× usual
    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
    19.8% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
    17.7% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
    12.6% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3% of all 2012 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) joints2.5× usual
    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
    11% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.1% of all 2012 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 lights2.7× usual
    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
    10.1% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

By area

The share of 2012 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011814Suspension 44%
2010896Lights and electrics 49%
2009779Lights and electrics 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Citroen Grand C4 Picassos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score