2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Number plate lights3.6× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  12.8% All 2015 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.1% of all 2015 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  12.9% All 2015 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Link ball joint covers7.3× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  5.1% All 2015 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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.

• Track rod ends2.2× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  6.5% All 2015 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.5% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  27% 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
  27% 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
  27% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  6% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Front suspension and fuel leak recalls

  Built 2013 to 2015

  Front wishbone bolts could fail (built Mar 2013 to Jan 2015), the fuel rail could leak onto hot parts (built Jan to July 2014) and the fuel filter heater could melt (built to Jan 2014).

  At the viewing: Ask a Citroen dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Citroen C4 Picasso (2013-2018) reliability

• Engine, starter and door recalls

  All engines

  Recalls also covered engine failure (built Oct to Nov 2017), a turbo oil leak (built early 2016), overheating software (built 2012 to 2015), starter motor wiring and a relay that could catch fire, doors that could open (built 2015), rear seatbelts and the bonnet skin.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof every recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Citroen C4 Picasso (2013-2018) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel

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

1. Have the suspension and fuel recalls been done?
2. Have all the recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 7.3× as often on the 2015 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?