2013 Citroen Ë-C4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 82,480 MOT tests, the 2013 Citroen Ë-C4 recorded a 74.5% pass rate. Against small family cars of a similar age (19.4% fail rate), the 2013 Ë-C4 comes out 6.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.4% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and coil spring — joints alone was recorded 5,146 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 29.2% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.8pp more often than petrol ones (25.8% vs 22.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 11,862 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 8,805 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 5,527 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.4% | 5,315 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 5,048 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 3,571 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 5,146 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 4,511 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 4,214 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3,930 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 3,790 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 3,057 |
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 | 30.0% | 24,785 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.1% | 21,513 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.0% | 13,213 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 9,965 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.7% | 8,817 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 3,454 |
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 | 1,856 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 17,779 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 33,255 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 20,694 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 6,673 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,179 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 76,640 | 25.8% |
| Petrol | 5,840 | 22.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,818 | 21.9% |
| 2022 | 16,939 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 16,927 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 16,352 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 15,444 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Ë-C4
On a 2013 Ë-C4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% 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 (6.7% 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 2013 Citroen Ë-C4s pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 82,480 2013 Citroen Ë-C4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen Ë-C4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 2013 Ë-C4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 82,480 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.