What are the most common problems with a 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is number plate lights: flagged on 16.4% of tests, 2.2× the rate for all 2011 cars, followed by individual direction indicators (11.7%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel?

Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Citroen Grand C4 Picasso first registered in 2011 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,841 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,841MOTs of 2011 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

52%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%)

7,800typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for number plate lights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

Number plate lights2.2× usual

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
16.4% All 2011 cars
7.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, 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.
Individual direction indicators3.9× usual

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
11.7% All 2011 cars
3%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, 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.
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
10.9% All 2011 cars
4.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, 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 joint2.2× usual

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
12.5% All 2011 cars
5.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, 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.
Brake lights2.6× usual

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
10.5% All 2011 cars
4%

Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 3.3% 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.3% here, against 6.9% of all 2011 cars.

Common 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 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

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

39% 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

33% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

11% 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 Grand C4 Picasso diesel

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

Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2011 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2015	102	Tyres 37%
2014	301	Tyres 40%
2013	109	Lights and electrics 41%
2012	2,106	Suspension 42%
2010	3,424	Lights and electrics 47%
2009	3,210	Lights and electrics 46%
2008	645	Lights and electrics 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Citroen Grand C4 Picasso cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score