2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Brake discs2.1× usual
  Citroen C3 Picasso

  27.3% All 2014 cars

  13.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, 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.

• Exhaust system5.1× usual
  Citroen C3 Picasso

  16.2% All 2014 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.9% of all 2014 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.

• Individual direction indicators10.4× usual
  Citroen C3 Picasso

  8.3% All 2014 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.3% of all 2014 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.

• Brake lights2.9× usual
  Citroen C3 Picasso

  7.8% All 2014 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.1% of all 2014 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 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  43% 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
  37% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Suspension
  13% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% 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 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 10.4× as often on the 2014 Citroen C3 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?