2013 Citroen C4 1.6L Diesel · DF13 WHH

A clear pattern of front suspension corrosion has emerged on this C4, with both upper coil springs on the nearside and offside front flagged at the most recent test on 5 June 2026. Prior to this, the vehicle held a clean pass with no advisories on 3 June 2025, suggesting the spring deterioration is a relatively recent development rather than a long-standing chronic issue. The earlier history is dominated by tyre wear and rear brake disc condition, with the 2024 test entry recording near-limit wear on the nearside front and offside rear tyres, plus pitting and scoring on the nearside rear brake disc. A failure on 11 June 2024 was driven by cuts exceeding ply depth on two tyres, and the subsequent pass on 12 June 2024 shows these were replaced before the retest, with only the wear advisories carried forward. Taken together, the mechanical story is one of a car that has remained fundamentally roadworthy but is now beginning to show front-end corrosion typical of a vehicle entering its teenage years. With 61,047 miles recorded over roughly thirteen years, annual mileage sits at around 4,696 miles, which is well below average for a car of this age. This low accumulation suggests either limited daily use or extended periods off the road, and the relatively modest mileage between tests, with no apparent gaps or sudden jumps, supports steady but infrequent use. Mechanically, lower mileage tends to preserve drivetrain components but can accelerate corrosion on underbody and suspension items, particularly in climates where road salt is used, and rubber and plastic parts can become brittle through age rather than wear. The pattern of advisories here, with brake disc pitting noted in 2024 and coil spring corrosion surfacing in 2026, fits that profile rather than indicating a heavily worked vehicle. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection area is the front suspension. Both upper coil springs have been flagged as corroded, so on a test drive listen for any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps or potholes, and feel for any vagueness in the front end response that could indicate a weakened or fractured spring. Visually inspect the springs for heavy surface rust, flaking, or any visible cracking, and check the front suspension turrets and top mounts for corrosion spread, as rust tends to migrate from the spring to surrounding structure on ageing Citroens. Also examine the front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which can point to suspension geometry issues developing alongside the spring deterioration. The braking system deserves close attention given the historical advisory on the nearside rear disc. On test, feel for any judder through the pedal under firm braking, which would suggest the disc has worn unevenly, and listen for grinding or scraping noises from the rear that would indicate the pad material is now contacting the corroded surface. Check the rear brake flexi hoses and underbody brake pipes for any surface rust or corrosion, particularly along the wheel arch liners and subframe mounting points, as these areas commonly deteriorate on low-mileage French vehicles of this era. Finally, verify the tyre condition and age directly, as the 2024 cuts to ply suggest the car may have been operating with ageing rubber at that point, and any tyres older than five years from their DOT stamp should be replaced regardless of tread depth.