2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel?

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

• Number plate lights2.7× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  23.3% All 2008 cars

  8.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, 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.

• Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  22.8% All 2008 cars

  11.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  20.3% All 2008 cars

  10.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  15.2% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, 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.

• Sidelights2× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  14.7% All 2008 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.9%, 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.

Common 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  47% 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
  46% 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
  43% 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
  39% 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
  24% 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
  16% 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 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 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 2.7× as often on the 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?