2008 Citroen C4 1.6L Diesel · AF08 LJO

The Citroën C4’s most recent MOT in February 2023 at 107,692 miles passed but revealed a mix of recurring and unresolved issues, indicating a trend of deferred maintenance rather than outright neglect. The tester flagged binding front and rear brake discs, along with near-exhausted rear brake pads, suggesting the vehicle has been driven with worn components rather than addressing them promptly. Structural damage—including a fractured offside front coil spring and excessive play in both track rod end ball joints—was noted in the prior failed test from May 2022, yet these critical suspension faults were not repeated in the later pass, implying they may have been repaired or temporarily masked. However, the persistent corrosion underbody and damaged wheel arches imply long-standing neglect of rust prevention, while the absence of any recent advisories on suspension or brakes since 2022 could mean the current owner has addressed some concerns—or simply avoided further testing. The car’s low annual mileage—around 5,983 miles per year over its 18-year lifespan—suggests it has either been lightly used or stood unused for extended periods, which can exacerbate issues like corrosion and seized components. The gap between the 2022 failure and the 2023 pass (nearly 11 months) aligns with this pattern, as the vehicle may have sat idle until forced into testing. The mileage drop of just 975 miles between tests (106,717 to 107,692) further supports the idea of minimal recent use, though this also means wear items like tyres and brake pads may have degraded slowly rather than through high-mileage stress. For a buyer, the most urgent areas to inspect are the suspension components, particularly the offside front coil spring and track rod ends, which were critically failed in 2022 and may still be compromised despite the later pass. The brake system—front and rear discs, along with rear pads—demands close scrutiny, as the 2023 test showed ongoing wear without evidence of recent replacement. Structural integrity is another red flag: the damaged wheel arches and corroded underbody point to potential long-term rust penetration, which could compromise safety-critical areas like sills or floor pans. Finally, verify that all lighting circuits have been fully repaired, as the 2022 failure listed multiple non-functional lamps, some of which may still be faulty.