Diesel Citroen C4: MOT pass rate

65.7% of diesel Citroen C4s pass the MOT first time, measured across 101,823 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 89,033.

Diesel against the other Citroen C4 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Citroen C4 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 69.4%, and this diesel version sits 0.8 points below the 66.5% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Citroen C4 had covered 89,033 miles at test, against 70,384 for the petrol. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Citroen C4 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Citroen C4

1. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 7.9% of tests (5.14x the national rate for this defect)
2. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 3.2% of tests (3.6x the national rate for this defect)
3. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.1% of tests (3.11x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.9% of tests (2.64x the national rate for this defect)
5. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.2% of tests (2.32x the national rate for this defect)
6. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.5% of tests (2.01x the national rate for this defect)
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.1% of tests (1.93x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.1% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 5.5% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect)
10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.9% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect)

From 102,430 DVSA-tracked diesel Citroen C4 tests, 2024, split out from the Citroen C4's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.1% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Citroen C4

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.6% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this defect)
2. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.3% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 20.8% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 20.8% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 38.6% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 1.7% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 12.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 6.8% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)

From 102,430 DVSA-tracked diesel Citroen C4 tests, 2024.

Other Citroen C4 fuel types

• Petrol Citroen C4 - 69.4%

All Citroen C4 MOT data · Every model