2018 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Brake discs1.9× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  19.1% All 2018 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints15× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  6% All 2018 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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.

• Number plate lights3.1× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  4.3% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

• Braking performance2.3× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  2.8% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
  Citroen C4 Picasso

  2.1% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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 2018 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 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
  31% 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
  28% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2018 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 2018 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 brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2018 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 15× as often on the 2018 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2018 Citroen C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?