Used car guide

2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Citroen C4 Picasso first registered in 2017 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 7,083 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,083MOTs of 2017 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
76%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)
7,400typical miles a year
12.3×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints12.3× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    8.6% All 2017 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.2% of all 2017 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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    17.7% All 2017 cars
    10.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

  • Number plate lights3.7× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    7.3% All 2017 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.6× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    4% All 2017 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Citroen C4 Picasso
    3% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 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
    30% 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
    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.

  • Suspension
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% 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
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2017 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 2017 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 anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 12.3× as often on the 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Citroen C4 Picasso?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Citroen C4 Picasso compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20183,415Tyres 31%
20165,003Tyres 31%
2015894Tyres 34%
2014800Tyres 38%
2013423Tyres 39%
2012186Tyres 38%
2011123Suspension 39%
2010134Lights and electrics 45%
2008112Lights and electrics 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Citroen C4 Picasso cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score