2017 Citroen C4 Cactus — MOT failures & pass rate
34,723 MOT tests on the 2017 Citroen C4 Cactus are in this dataset, and 83.3% of them passed. That is 4.8 percentage points worse than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 11.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.1%) and visibility (7.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 2,028 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 0-30k band and 27.4% in the 120-150k band, a 16.4-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 16.3% of the time against 17.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 2,826 |
| 2 | Visibility | 7.1% | 2,465 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.1% | 1,763 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 1,558 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 1,198 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.4% | 833 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,028 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,296 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,210 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,017 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,014 |
| 6 | Washers | 980 |
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 | 26.3% | 9,138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.7% | 5,800 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 3,620 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.6% | 2,972 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.7% | 2,683 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 1,901 |
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 | 9,016 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 17,823 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 6,520 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,176 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 157 | 27.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 24,308 | 16.3% |
| Diesel | 10,415 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,683 | 12.3% |
| 2022 | 6,889 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 6,948 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 7,032 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 7,171 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 C4 Cactus
On a 2017 C4 Cactus, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.1% 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.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2017 Citroen C4 Cactuss pass their MOT?
83.3% of the 34,723 2017 Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Citroen C4 Cactus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by visibility (7.1%).
Does the 2017 C4 Cactus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,723 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.