2011 Citroen C4 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Citroen C4 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Citroen C4 petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
  Citroen C4

  10.8% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 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.

• Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
  Citroen C4

  12.6% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)5.2× usual
  Citroen C4

  5.2% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Engine warning light1.8× usual
  Citroen C4

  3.3% All 2011 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.8% 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.

Common 2011 Citroen C4 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Citroen C4 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  35% 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
  33% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% 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.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Citroen C4 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2011 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the 2011 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?