2011 Citroen DS4 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Number plate lights2.9× usual
  Citroen DS4

  22% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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) joints3.1× usual
  Citroen DS4

  12.6% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 2% of all 2011 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 joint2.4× usual
  Citroen DS4

  13.5% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 3.1% of all 2011 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.8× usual
  Citroen DS4

  8.4% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.2% of all 2011 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 ends1.9× usual
  Citroen DS4

  8.7% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.4% of all 2011 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 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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
  40% 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
  40% 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
  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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  13% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Citroen DS4 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?