2017 CITROEN C41.2L Petrol

The most recent MOT history for this 2017 Citroën C4, tested on 2025-05-28 at 59,729 miles, reveals a concerning pattern of repeated failures despite no recorded defects. The vehicle failed twice in the same test cycle—an anomaly under standard MOT procedures—before passing the subsequent retest. While the 2024 and 2023 tests show clean passes with no advisories, the double failure in 2025 suggests either a temporary oversight in inspection or, more critically, a latent issue that evaded detection until the final retest. The lack of specific defect codes in the record means the failure reason remains unspecified, but the retest passing implies the problem was either resolved or overlooked. This inconsistency warrants further scrutiny, particularly if the failure was due to a non-obvious fault like binding brakes, suspension misalignment, or exhaust system leaks. The recorded mileage progression of approximately 6,637 miles per year aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age, though the gap between tests varies. The largest interval occurs between the 2023 failure at 46,597 miles and the 2024 pass at 53,553 miles—a 6,956-mile span over a year, which is unusually long for a car with no documented maintenance history. Conversely, the 2025 test cycle collapsed into a single month, with the failure and retest occurring just two days apart at identical mileage. This abrupt clustering suggests either a rushed inspection or a deliberate attempt to clear the vehicle for sale, raising questions about transparency. The absence of advisories in prior tests also indicates that if recurring issues existed—such as worn suspension bushes or corrosion—they were either not severe enough to trigger warnings or were addressed between tests without documentation. Given the lack of specific defect codes, a buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the suspension components, particularly the rear axle and coil springs, as binding or uneven wear often goes unnoticed during standard MOT checks. The double failure in 2025 implies a potential issue with brake binding, caliper seizure, or excessive disc wear, so the condition of rear brake discs and calipers should be closely examined for uneven thickness or corrosion. Structural integrity, particularly around the wheel arches and sills, should also be assessed for signs of hidden corrosion, as this is a common failure point in Citroën models of this era. The exhaust system, while not explicitly flagged, may have been the source of the 2025 failure if emissions or leaks were present, so its integrity—including mounting brackets and catalytic converter—should be verified. Finally, the tyres, though not mentioned in the record, warrant immediate inspection for tread depth and uneven wear, as the failure history suggests basic upkeep may have been inconsistent.