2010 Citroen C4 1.6L Diesel · BN60 RGO

Recurring consumable wear and a pair of failure episodes centred on lighting and exhaust integrity define this 2010 Citroen C4's record, though it passed its latest test on 20 October 2023 with five advisories rather than defects. The most significant entry is the October 2022 failure, which recorded a major exhaust gas leak at the DPF alongside visible smoke from a diesel particulate filter-equipped vehicle, plus an inoperative registration plate lamp and insufficient washer fluid; a retest two days later passed clean, indicating the faults were rectified promptly. An earlier failure in September 2019 involved a dangerous offside rear tyre below the 1.6mm legal tread minimum, inoperative front position lamps, incorrect headlamp aim on both sides, and rear indicators of the wrong colour, again followed by a pass three days later. The 2023 advisories point to a cluster of wear items now approaching their limits: both front tyres worn on the edges, play in the steering rack inner joints, and brake pads wearing thin at both axles. Recorded mileage stands at 143,097 miles over roughly sixteen years, averaging around 8,944 miles annually, which is typical use for the age rather than unusually light or heavy. Tests have been conducted consistently each autumn with no significant gaps, so the odometer progression appears regular and there is no evidence of extended lay-ups. This steady accumulation is consistent with the wear pattern shown: front tyres wearing on their edges at this mileage often points to tracking or geometry issues as much as simple use, and steering rack inner joint play is a common high-mileage fatigue item rather than a sign of abnormal treatment. A prospective buyer should treat the 2023 advisories as a pending expenditure list. The front brake pads and rear brake pads flagged as wearing thin will likely require replacement imminently if not already done; on a test drive, listen for squeal or grinding under braking and feel for any judder through the pedal that might suggest disc wear beneath the pads. The steering rack inner joint play warrants particular attention: with the car stationary, have an assistant rock the steering wheel while you feel for knock or looseness at the track rod ends, and on the road check for vagueness around the straight-ahead position or a light clonk over uneven surfaces. Edge wear on both front tyres suggests the wheel alignment should be checked before fitting replacements, otherwise new tyres will wear the same way. The 2022 DPF leak and visible smoke failure deserves verification even though it was rectified: ask for evidence of the repair, inspect the exhaust system and DPF joints for soot staining or blowing, and on a warm drive watch for any smoke under acceleration or hesitation suggesting regeneration problems. Given the 2019 lighting failures, confirm all lamps, indicators, and headlamp aim operate correctly, as electrical faults on this generation can recur. Overall the record shows a car that has been kept test-legal with prompt rectification of failures, but with several wear items flagged at the last test that should be inspected, priced, and negotiated accordingly.