2014 Citroen C4 Cactus — MOT failures & pass rate
297 MOT tests on the 2014 Citroen C4 Cactus are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. That is 5.9 percentage points worse than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 19.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.5%) and body, structure & corrosion (9.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, exhaust system and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 16 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.3% in the 0-30k band and 25.7% in the 90-120k band, a 11.4-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 37 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 29 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.4% | 19 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.7% | 17 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.7% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 16 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 16 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 4 | Wipers | 13 |
| 5 | Washers | 11 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.9% | 80 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.2% | 72 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.9% | 62 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 48 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.8% | 38 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 34 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 35 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 110 | 26.4% |
| 60-90k | 104 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 161 | 21.7% |
| Petrol | 136 | 28.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 59 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 60 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 64 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 69 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2014 C4 Cactus
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Visibility (6.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2014 Citroen C4 Cactuss pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 297 2014 Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Citroen C4 Cactus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.8%).
Does the 2014 C4 Cactus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 297 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.