2009 Citroen C8: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen C8?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen C8 than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.9× usual
  Citroen C8

  18.6% All 2009 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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 C8

  13.6% All 2009 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.9%, against 4.2% of all 2009 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.

• Sidelights2.2× usual
  Citroen C8

  14.9% All 2009 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.2%, against 6% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Citroen C8

  15.4% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2009 Citroen C8 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen C8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  45% 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
  39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  38% 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
  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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  19% 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
  16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Citroen C8

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 3.9× as often on the 2009 Citroen C8 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2009 Citroen C8 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C8 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?