2015 Citroen C4 1.6L Diesel · FD65 VCJ

The 2015 Citroën C4 presents a roadworthiness profile that is somewhat unusual within the DVSA testing record: the same day, 14 November 2025, carries both a pass and a fail entry, indicating the vehicle was presented, failed on initial inspection, was repaired, and then re-presented and cleared on the same date. No advisories or specific defect categories were logged on either entry, but the dual entry itself is a signal that something significant enough to fail the test was identified, rectified, and verified clear within hours. A similar pattern occurred in November 2024, when the car failed on the 13th and then passed on the 15th, again with no defect details captured on the official record. This back-to-back test history, while ultimately resulting in passes at the most recent attempts, is worth probing directly with the seller: ask for the original failure notices (the VT30 refusal documents) so the exact mechanical reason for refusal is disclosed, rather than relying solely on the cleaned-up pass record. Covering roughly 6,759 miles per year over an eleven-year lifespan, the C4 sits very close to the expected annual accumulation for its age and platform. There are no conspicuous gaps in the MOT testing history that would imply a multi-year period off the road, which means the braking, suspension, exhaust, and underbody components have all been subjected to reasonably continuous road use rather than the accelerated corrosion and seized-caliper issues often seen on cars that have stood idle. That said, the higher-than-light mileage for a family-orientated C4 means wear-pattern components such as front brake discs and pads, front suspension bushes and drop links, and the clutch or dual-mass flywheel (depending on transmission) are likely approaching or are at a stage where replacement is a realistic near-term cost rather than a distant concern. Given that the specific defect categories behind the 2024 and 2025 failures are not captured in the supplied record, a prospective buyer should approach the test drive as a targeted mechanical investigation rather than a general appraisal. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over broken surfaces, which on the C4 platform commonly traces to worn lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or front strut top mount bearings. At low speed, feel for any pulling under braking or a pulsating brake pedal, both of which would point to a warped front disc or a binding caliper slide pin, items that frequently account for brake-related refusals on French cars of this vintage. Steering should feel precise without excess play at the straight-ahead, as wear in the steering rack mounting or tie rod ends can manifest as vagueness on centre. With the engine idling from cold, check for any blue or grey smoke from the exhaust, indicating oil burn through worn valve stem seals or piston rings, and inspect the engine bay and undertray for signs of oil misting or wet oil residue around the rocker cover gasket and oil filter housing. Before committing to purchase, request the original MOT refusal documents (VT30 forms) from the seller for both the 2024 and 2025 failures so you can see precisely which component or system was the reason for refusal and confirm the repair was carried out properly rather than as a temporary fix. Conduct a thorough visual inspection of the underbody with the vehicle on a ramp or over a pit if possible, paying particular attention to the front subframe mounting points, rear trailing arm bushes, and brake pipes, all of which are known corrosion and wear points on the C4 that may not always appear on the MOT record if they have not yet crossed the failure threshold. Finally, verify the service history stamps and invoices align with the recorded mileage, and confirm the timing belt or cam belt replacement interval has been observed in line with the manufacturer's schedule, as the absence of that single piece of evidence could be far more costly than any issue raised at the MOT bay.