2010 Citroen C4 Picasso — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,778 MOT tests, the 2010 Citroen C4 Picasso recorded a 70.2% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 25.6% of the time, so this is 4.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 24.8% of all tests — 13.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 1,492 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.9% in the 30-60k band and 31.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 32.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.8% | 2,421 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 1,153 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 864 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 835 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.2% | 706 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 568 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,492 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 794 |
| 3 | Joints | 694 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 611 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 601 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 565 |
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 | 32.5% | 3,178 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.4% | 2,680 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.7% | 2,217 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 1,917 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 1,705 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.0% | 1,177 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 599 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,842 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 3,790 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,899 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 615 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,453 | 29.7% |
| Petrol | 325 | 31.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,481 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 2,317 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 2,030 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 1,669 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 1,281 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2010 C4 Picasso
On a 2010 C4 Picasso, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 24.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (24.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2010 Citroen C4 Picassos pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 9,778 2010 Citroen C4 Picasso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen C4 Picasso?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2010 C4 Picasso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,778 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.