2014 Citroen C4 Picasso — MOT failures & pass rate
3,491 MOT tests on the 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso are in this dataset, and 75.6% of them passed. That is 5.0 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 19.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.7%) and suspension (10.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are linkage ball joint dust cover, track rod end and joints — linkage ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 252 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 32.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 374 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 354 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.6% | 231 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 185 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 147 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 142 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 252 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 150 |
| 3 | Joints | 141 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 134 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 128 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 111 |
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 | 32.4% | 1,130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.2% | 950 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.9% | 626 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 432 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.3% | 430 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 158 |
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 | 116 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 887 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,495 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 728 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 201 | 26.4% |
| 150k+ | 55 | 21.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,456 | 24.5% |
| Petrol | 35 | 8.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 551 | 18.7% |
| 2022 | 674 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 711 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 790 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 765 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2014 C4 Picasso
On a 2014 C4 Picasso, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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.
- Tyres (6.6% 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 2014 Citroen C4 Picassos pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 3,491 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2014 C4 Picasso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,491 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.