2008 Citroen Grand C4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Citroen Grand C4 passed 73.7% of its 251 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.9% of tests against 10.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, position lamp and headlamp — stop lamp alone was recorded 28 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Grand C4 fails 27.9% of the time in the 60-90k band and 29.6% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 33.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.3% in 2024, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 60 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 25 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 21 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 28 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 4 | Joints | 20 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 6 | Washers | 11 |
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 | 33.1% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.7% | 67 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.3% | 56 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 37 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 25 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 68 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 89 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 54 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 169 | 26.6% |
| Petrol | 82 | 25.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 58 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 51 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 48 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Grand C4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.0% 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+.
- Suspension (8.4% 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.
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 2008 Citroen Grand C4s pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 251 2008 Citroen Grand C4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen Grand C4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.0%).
Does the 2008 Grand C4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.9% in the 60-90k band to 29.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 251 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.