2008 Citroen C8 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Citroen C8 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Citroen C8 diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usual
  Citroen C8

  25.2% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.2%, 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.

• Brake lights2.7× usual
  Citroen C8

  14.8% All 2008 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, 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.

• Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
  Citroen C8

  20.4% All 2008 cars

  11.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Citroen C8

  16.5% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2008 Citroen C8 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Citroen C8 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  45% 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
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  26% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Citroen C8 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2008 Citroen C8 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2008 Citroen C8 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Citroen C8 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?