2008 Citroen C4 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Citroen C4 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Citroen C4 petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Brake lights2.2× usual
  Citroen C4

  12.2% All 2008 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, against 4.5% of all 2008 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.

• Steering rack inner joints2.9× usual
  Citroen C4

  7.9% All 2008 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

• Number plate lights1.6× usual
  Citroen C4

  13.8% All 2008 cars

  8.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

• Sidelights1.7× usual
  Citroen C4

  12.4% All 2008 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 6.3% of all 2008 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.6× usual
  Citroen C4

  10.7% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3% of all 2008 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 2008 Citroen C4 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Citroen C4 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  45% 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
  42% 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.

• Tyres
  37% 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
  36% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  12% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% 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 2008 Citroen C4 petrol

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.

• Fire, brake and airbag recalls

  All engines

  There were five recalls, including a short circuit fire risk, possible loss of braking efficiency and front airbags that might not deploy properly.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg and ask for proof the work was done.

  Source: What Car?: Citroen C4 (2005-2010) reliability

• Cruise control and limiter glitches

  All engines

  Electrical glitches have affected the speed limiter and cruise control, and the radio can lose its stations.

  At the viewing: Try the cruise control and speed limiter on the test drive.

  Source: What Car?: Citroen C4 (2005-2010) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Citroen C4 petrol

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

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2008 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?