Citroen C4 Cactus MOT pass rate and common problems
80.5% of 29,849 Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests pass.
The C4 Cactus passes its MOT 80.5% of the time — well above the average across all Citroen models, which sits at 71.7%.
The Citroen C4 Cactus has a pass rate of 80.5%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Citroen C4 Cactus?
This is the average across every Citroen C4 Cactus in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Citroen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 94.5% at 0–3 years to 76.5% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.5% | 309 | 27,228 miles |
| 3–6 years | 85.0% | 13,401 | 36,048 miles |
| 6–10 years | 76.5% | 16,131 | 54,325 miles |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Citroen C4 Cactus
The most common reason the Citroen C4 Cactus fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working on dipped beam".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.8% | Not working on dipped beam |
| Visibility | 28.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 25.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 19.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 19.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Suspension | 12.9% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 0.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Citroen C4 Cactus: what to check
These checks follow the Citroen C4 Cactus’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Citroen C4 Cactus comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 94.5% to 85.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 89.9% down to 80.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.8% of failed Citroen C4 Cactus MOTs. 14.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.9% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 28.1% of failed Citroen C4 Cactus MOTs. 7.9% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.9% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 25.2% of failed Citroen C4 Cactus MOTs. 8.2% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres, against 2.3% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 19.6% of failed Citroen C4 Cactus MOTs. 6.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 19.0% of failed Citroen C4 Cactus MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.1% of tests at 6–10 years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Citroen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Citroen models
- Citroen C3 Aircross — 88.0% pass rate
- Citroen Xsara — 57.4% pass rate
- Citroen C5 — 81.6% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Grand Picasso — 70.7% pass rate
- Citroen Relay — 71.0% pass rate
- Citroen Nemo — 66.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen C4 Cactus?
- 80.5% of Citroen C4 Cactus MOT tests pass, based on 29,849 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Citroen C4 Cactus?
- The most common reason the Citroen C4 Cactus fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working on dipped beam".
- What are the common problems with the Citroen C4 Cactus?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Citroen C4 Cactus are lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; tyres. 14.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.9% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Citroen C4 Cactus?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Citroen C4 Cactus's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Citroen service history guide for how to check and keep one.