2009 Citroen Ë-C4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,672 MOT tests, the 2009 Citroen Ë-C4 recorded a 70.5% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail 25.1% of the time, so this is 4.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 5,477 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.1% in the 0-30k band and 31.9% in the 150k+ band, a 13.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.1% fail against 29.9% for diesel, a 1.9-point gap across 43,669 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 9,766 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 4,850 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 3,917 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 3,629 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 3,002 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 2,745 |
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 | 5,477 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 3,772 |
| 3 | Joints | 3,166 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 2,988 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 2,153 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 2,142 |
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 | 30.7% | 13,426 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 12,441 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.8% | 10,383 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.5% | 7,214 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 6,366 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 6,263 |
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 | 448 | 18.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,797 | 23.0% |
| 60-90k | 12,869 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 15,964 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 7,671 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,858 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 34,197 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 9,472 | 28.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,165 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 10,535 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 8,859 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 6,968 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 5,145 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Ë-C4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
- Brakes (9.0% 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 2009 Citroen Ë-C4s pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 43,672 2009 Citroen Ë-C4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Citroen Ë-C4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2009 Ë-C4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,672 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.