2004 Citroen Ë-C4 — MOT failures & pass rate
394 MOT tests on the 2004 Citroen Ë-C4 are in this dataset, and 66.2% of them passed. That is 5.8 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 27.4% of all tests — 7.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 41 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 33.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 39.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.1% in 2021 to 30.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 27.4% | 108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.5% | 77 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.7% | 46 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.9% | 31 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 30 |
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 | 41 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 35 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 30 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 28 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 26 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.8% | 145 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.5% | 136 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 98 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 85 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.0% | 75 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 63 |
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 | 30 | 33.3% |
| 60-90k | 71 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 39.7% |
| 150k+ | 73 | 39.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 206 | 36.4% |
| Petrol | 188 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 139 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 106 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 64 | 35.9% |
| 2024 | 49 | 38.8% |
| 2025 | 36 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Ë-C4
On a 2004 Ë-C4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 27.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (27.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.7% 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+.
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 2004 Citroen Ë-C4s pass their MOT?
66.2% of the 394 2004 Citroen Ë-C4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Citroen Ë-C4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 27.4% of tests, followed by suspension (19.5%).
Does the 2004 Ë-C4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.3% in the 30-60k band to 39.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 394 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.