2016 Citroen C4 1.6L Diesel · PX65 NCV

The C4 passed its most recent MOT on 22 April 2026 at 68,481 miles, but the record reveals a worsening maintenance trend that a buyer should treat with caution. Two tests were conducted within two weeks in April 2026, the first failing on 9 April with a dangerous suspension defect. The offside front suspension arm ball joint was flagged as likely to become detached, alongside excessively worn rear brake discs and fluctuating service brakes on both sides. Although the retest cleared the vehicle, the tester still recorded a worn nearside front suspension bush, both front and rear tyres worn to the legal limit, a deteriorating front exhaust flexi flange, and corroded rear brake hose ferrules. This is not a clean bill of health. The car is being held together at the margins, with multiple advisories carried forward and core components operating at or beyond acceptable wear thresholds. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 6,800 miles per year over ten years, which is typical for its age and suggests consistent use rather than long periods of neglect. The annual tests from April 2024 through April 2026 show a steady climb from 56,534 to 68,481 miles, with no suspicious gaps or sudden drops. The 2024 test at 56,534 miles recorded zero defects, a stark contrast to the 2025 and 2026 tests where faults multiplied rapidly. This suggests the last two years have seen accelerated wear, likely from increased use or deferred maintenance. The car has not been garaged and forgotten; it has been driven, and the mechanical sympathy from prior owners appears to have diminished. The front suspension demands immediate attention. Both rear-most suspension arm bushes have been recurring advisories since April 2025, and the offside front ball joint progressed from slight play in April 2025 to a dangerous failure by April 2026 before being replaced or reassembled for the retest. Both front coil springs were fractured in the April 2025 failure, which is a serious structural concern, yet the subsequent pass in April 2026 does not explicitly confirm replacement. A buyer should physically inspect the spring seats and lower arms for fresh components, not just rely on the pass certificate. The front exhaust flexi flange has been deteriorating steadily across three consecutive tests, indicating an ongoing exhaust leak risk that may worsen emissions compliance and noise. The braking system shows a pattern of neglect. Rear brake discs have been worn, pitted, or scored in every test since April 2025, and both rear brake hoses have carried corrosion advisories on the ferrules for over a year. The April 2026 pass still notes slight corrosion to both rear hose ferrules, suggesting surface treatment rather than replacement. Tyres have repeatedly worn to the legal limit at test time, indicating the owner is running rubber down to the minimum rather than replacing proactively. A buyer should inspect the rear discs for lipping and scoring, check the brake hoses for deeper corrosion at the fittings, and budget for front suspension bush and ball joint replacement if not already done. This car is roadworthy on paper, but the record points to a vehicle that has been maintained reactively rather than preventatively.