2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Number plate lights3.9× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  10.4% All 2016 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints9.5× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  7.6% All 2016 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.3% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  10.5% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  6.4% All 2016 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 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
  32% 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
  26% 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
  26% 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
  19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  6% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Seats and seatbelts
  5% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 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.

• 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 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel

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

1. Have all the recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 9.5× as often on the 2016 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 2.1× as often on the 2016 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?