2013 Citroen C4 1.6L Diesel · AO62 WZX

This 2013 Citroen C4 presents a mechanical story dominated by a front-end braking and drivetrain theme, with a dangerous brake pad failure recorded on 24 October 2024 underscoring the most serious finding in the available history. The offside front brake pads were assessed at less than 1.5 mm thick, which under the MOT categorisation constitutes a dangerous defect and resulted in an immediate failure; the same test also captured a major defect for a split offside front CV boot that could no longer prevent dirt ingress, alongside advisories on the nearside front brake pads (wearing thin) and wear/pitting on both front brake discs. Three days later on 28 October 2024, the vehicle was re-presented and passed, with the only advisory being light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber. The most recent test on 14 October 2025 returned a pass with a single advisory for the offside rear brake disc being worn, pitted or scored but not seriously weakened, suggesting the braking components have been attended to but a pattern of disc wear across both axles remains a recurring thread across the test cycle. With roughly 48,170 miles recorded over thirteen years, the average annual mileage is around 3,705 miles, which sits at the lower end of typical use for a car of this age. Annual figures of this magnitude mean that wear-related degradation typically progresses more slowly than on a higher-mileage example, but rubber components, brake discs, and suspension parts can still deteriorate through age and periods of standing rather than active use. The MOT testing history itself shows a consistent yearly cadence from 2020 through 2025, with no significant multi-year gaps in testing, which is helpful in confirming the mileage trail has been continuously recorded. The recorded accumulation across the tests is broadly consistent with low-but-steady usage, and there is no evidence in the data of a sudden spike that would indicate a long unrecorded period followed by a high-mileage catch-up. The recurring CV boot defect on the nearside front side in 2021 and on the offside front side in 2024 is the most specific component concern for a prospective buyer, as the rubber gaiters have split on both front corners at different points in the test cycle. On a test drive, listen carefully for clicking or knocking noises from the front hubs when turning at full lock, particularly on a slow-speed manoeuvre, and feel for any vibration through the steering wheel that could indicate contaminated grease or worn CV joints. Inspect the visible portion of both front drive shaft boots by turning the steering to full lock and examining the rubber for fresh grease deposits, splits, or perished edges, and ask whether the joints themselves were replaced or merely the boots repacked at the relevant services. The 2024 light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber is worth monitoring as well, so check for any fresh seepage on the shock body and listen for clonking over uneven surfaces that would suggest the damper seal is deteriorating further. The brake-related advisories and the dangerous failure point clearly to the friction and disc surfaces as the principal area requiring attention. The front brake discs were noted as worn in 2023 and again in 2024, while the offside rear disc has appeared as an advisory in both 2023 and 2025, indicating that disc wear on this car is a recurring finding rather than an isolated event. On a road test, pay close attention to any judder through the brake pedal under firm application, which would suggest the front discs are warped beyond the safety limit, and listen for grinding or squealing from the front calipers that could indicate pad wear has returned. The 2021 tyre advisories for perishing on all four corners have not reappeared in later tests, suggesting the tyres were subsequently renewed, but it remains sensible to inspect the sidewalls carefully for cracking given the vehicle's age. Finally, the direction indicator discolouration advisory from 2023 is a minor item, but it serves as a reminder to confirm all exterior lighting functions correctly, including the offside rear indicator lens, before purchase.