Citroen C4 Grand Picasso MOT Failures
An analysis of 241,812 real DVSA MOT tests on the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 22 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 241,812 MOT tests, 1.07% of all Citroen C4 Grand Picasso tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (9.1x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (22x the fleet average), abs fault (7.5x the fleet average), and front or rear fog lamp not securely attached (13x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Brakes, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Citroen C4 Grand Picasso's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension ball joints worn (28x the average) and seat mounting fault (19x). anti-roll bar links worn (16x) and front or rear fog lamp not securely attached (11x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (13x the average) and abs fault (7.5x). tyre wear or damage (7.4x) and light unit fault (6.4x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension ball joints worn at lower mileages to seat mounting fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, abs fault, suspension ball joints worn. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot..., seat mounting fault.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Based on 241,812 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 22x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... and seat mounting fault.
Is the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso reliable based on MOT data?
The Citroen C4 Grand Picasso has 10 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is anti-roll bar links worn. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include anti-roll bar links worn, transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot..., seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.