2017 Citroen C4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,905 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Citroen C4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension. Its pass rate of 85.2% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (88.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.6% in the 150k+ group versus 9.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 447 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.7% | 278 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.6% | 270 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 258 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.4% | 199 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 170 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 202 |
| 2 | Wipers | 182 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 170 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 161 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 139 |
| 6 | Joints | 132 |
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 | 23.4% | 1,379 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.6% | 1,160 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 416 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.7% | 394 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 304 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 243 |
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 | 1,185 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,014 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,229 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 651 | 17.2% |
| 120-150k | 407 | 17.0% |
| 150k+ | 417 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,383 | 15.1% |
| Petrol | 1,522 | 14.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,249 | 10.8% |
| 2022 | 1,181 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 1,156 | 14.5% |
| 2024 | 1,165 | 16.5% |
| 2025 | 1,154 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 C4
Before buying a 2017 Citroen C4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.7% 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.
- Suspension (4.6% 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.
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 2017 Citroen C4s pass their MOT?
85.2% of the 5,905 2017 Citroen C4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Citroen C4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by tyres (4.7%).
Does the 2017 C4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 14.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,905 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.