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Citroën C4 Picasso reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 42,141 MOT tests of cars first registered 2014–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
77.8%pass first time
−3.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 18%of cars
42,141MOT tests

Verdict

The Citroën C4 Picasso passes its MOT first time on 77.8% of tests, 3.9 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (81.7%). That puts it ahead of 18% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2018 C4 Picasso does best (beats 22% of cars) and the 2014 worst (beats 12%).

Better than average on visibility, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.5×as often as a typical car
Suspension1.5×as often as a typical car
Anti-roll bar links10.6×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints4.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%34567891086%85%82%79%77%72%69%64%
Citroën C4 PicassoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2014
Beats 12%
2015
Beats 17%
2016
Beats 15%
2017
Beats 19%
2018
Beats 22%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel2014–201834,16277.0%Beats 17%E
1.2 Petrol2016–20187,97981.5%Beats 26%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 7.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 7.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.4 ptsTyres: 5.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 4.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.7 ptsSuspension: 5.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.9 ptsExhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.6 ptsSuspension: 5.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 7.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 7.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.4 ptsTyres: 5.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 4.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.7 ptsSuspension: 5.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.9 ptsExhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 7.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
7.3% vs 4.9%
Tyres
5.8% vs 5.5%
Suspension
5.4% vs 3.5%
Brakes
4.2% vs 3.5%
Visibility
2.8% vs 3.5%
Body & structure
2.5% vs 1.0%
Steering
1.4% vs 0.7%
Emissions & leaks
0.7% vs 1.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.4% vs 0.4%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Anti-roll bar links 10.6× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Number plate lights 3.6× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim 1.7× typical
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Headlight bulbs & units 2.3× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Track rod ends 2.2× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Windscreen washers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k92%85%77%70%63%
Citroën C4 PicassoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.8%3.1%1.2×
Headlight aim3.0%1.8%1.7×
Brake pads2.5%1.8%1.4×
Windscreen washers2.0%1.4%1.5×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.0%0.5%4.0×
Anti-roll bar links2.0%0.2%10.6×
Headlight bulbs & units1.9%0.9%2.3×
Tyre tread depth1.9%1.9%1.0×
Number plate lights1.7%0.5%3.6×
Track rod ends1.3%0.6%2.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn35.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements29.8
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm23.4
A tyre seriously damaged21.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen20.2
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc19.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements19.1
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED15.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 Citroën C4 Picasso2 engines81.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel4,25981.5%Beats 24%D
1.2 Petrol2,34481.0%Beats 19%E
2017 Citroën C4 Picasso2 engines79.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel15,81378.6%Beats 18%E
1.2 Petrol4,15781.8%Beats 26%D
2016 Citroën C4 Picasso2 engines76.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel10,68875.8%Beats 14%E
1.2 Petrol1,47881.5%Beats 35%D
2015 Citroën C4 Picasso1 engine70.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel1,71070.4%Beats 17%E
2014 Citroën C4 Picasso1 engine64.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel1,69264.2%Beats 12%E

FAQ

What is the Citroën C4 Picasso MOT pass rate?

77.8% of MOT tests on the Citroën C4 Picasso were passed first time, based on 42,141 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2014–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 81.7% of the time.

Is the Citroën C4 Picasso reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 18% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Citroën C4 Picasso year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2018 C4 Picasso does best for its age and mileage: it beats 22% of cars on UK roads. The 2014 does worst: it beats 12%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Citroën C4 Picasso?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, anti-roll bar links comes up 10.6× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.