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

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

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

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)6.3× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  13.2% All 2008 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, against 2% of all 2008 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.

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

  15.2% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.4%, 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 lights2.2× usual
  Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

  12% All 2008 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, 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.

Common 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Lights and electrics
  44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  40% 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.

• 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.

• Brakes
  35% 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
  23% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 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 exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 6.3× as often on the 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?