2011 Citroen DS4 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.6× usual
  Citroen DS4

  14.9% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, 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.

• Engine oil leaks2.4× usual
  Citroen DS4

  17.6% All 2011 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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.

• Number plate lights2.2× usual
  Citroen DS4

  16.2% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.1% 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.

• Engine warning light3.6× usual
  Citroen DS4

  6.4% All 2011 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 1.8% 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Citroen DS4

  7.1% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, 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.

Common 2011 Citroen DS4 petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• Suspension
  34% 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
  33% 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
  30% 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
  18% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Citroen DS4 petrol

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 3.6× as often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Citroen DS4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?