2009 Citroen C4 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen C4 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen C4 petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Steering rack inner joints6.5× usual
  Citroen C4

  14.4% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)4× usual
  Citroen C4

  7.2% All 2009 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Brake lights2× usual
  Citroen C4

  10.2% All 2009 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 4.2% of all 2009 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.

• Sidelights1.7× usual
  Citroen C4

  11.6% All 2009 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 6% of all 2009 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.

• Track rod ends1.8× usual
  Citroen C4

  9% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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 2009 Citroen C4 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen C4 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  38% 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
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Steering
  17% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 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 2009 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 steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 2009 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2009 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?