Citroen Grand C4 MOT pass rate & common failures
2,154 MOT tests on the Citroen Grand C4 (2006–2014) give it a 71.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 24.1% of the time, so this is 4.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests against 10.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 229 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.0% in the 30-60k band and 32.9% in the 150k+ band, a 7.9-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 33.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Grand C4 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 166 | 70.5% | 29.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 251 | 73.7% | 26.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 454 | 71.2% | 28.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 543 | 70.9% | 29.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 388 | 71.9% | 28.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 327 | 72.5% | 27.5% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 473 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 225 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 179 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 160 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 146 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 128 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 108 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.6% | 35 |
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 | 229 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 171 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 138 |
| 4 | Joints | 112 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 111 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 100 |
| 7 | Coil spring | 99 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 93 |
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 | 33.2% | 715 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.6% | 572 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.5% | 506 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 345 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 282 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.5% | 227 |
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 | 160 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 638 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 788 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 428 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 137 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,022 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 132 | 29.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 561 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 496 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 443 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 377 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 277 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a Citroen Grand C4
- Lighting & signalling (22.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.4% 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 (8.3% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen Grand C4?
71.7% of the 2,154 Citroen Grand C4 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.3% fail rate, across model years 2006–2014.
What does the Citroen Grand C4 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests, then suspension (10.4%).
How much does mileage affect Grand C4 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 25.0% for cars in the 30-60k band and 32.9% for 150k+, a 7.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,154 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.