Citroen C4 Cactus
Registered from 2014 to 2024.
About this model
The Citroën C4 Cactus is a subcompact crossover SUV, produced by French automaker Citroën in Spain between April 2014 and December 2017, with production of the second generation commencing in October 2017, with the final months of production being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The C4 Cactus is considered a compact SUV, although it is based on the PSA PF1 platform that underpins the smaller Citroën C3 and DS3.
From the Wikipedia article Citroën C4 Cactus, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2018 1.2 petrol. 743 of 5,012 tests failed, 15%.
Better than 12% of 2018 cars. The typical one fails 10%, across 966 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 44% | 327 |
| Tyres and wheels | 26% | 190 |
| Lights and electrics | 22% | 167 |
| Brakes | 17% | 130 |
| Suspension | 11% | 85 |
| Body and structure | 11% | 84 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Where it stands out against its peers
- Visibility: failed more often than 98% of 2018 cars — 44% of its 743 failed tests, where an ordinary 2018 car has 15%.
- Body and structure: failed more often than 90% of 2018 cars — 11% of its 743 failed tests, where an ordinary 2018 car has 3%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 26% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 17% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Suspension — 11% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Lights and electrics — 22% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Visibility — 44% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Body and structure — 11% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 80–100k miles this one fails 28% of its inspections, against the 15% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 10% | 6% | 688 | |
| 20–40k miles | 14% | 9% | 2,576 | |
| 40–60k miles | 17% | 12% | 1,443 | |
| 60–80k miles | 23% | 14% | 249 | |
| 80–100k miles | 28% | 15% | 47 |
5,003 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.2 petrol · 109 hp · 1160 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 5.8 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.2 petrol · 111 hp · 1161 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.2 petrol · 1144 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.2 petrol · 1095 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 4.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.2 petrol · 85 hp · 1046 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.2 petrol · 87 hp · 1075 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.6 diesel · 96 hp · 1167 kg · 2597 mm wheelbase · 3.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.2 petrol · 84 hp · 1071 kg · 2595 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00018/19
The left rear brake hose may be in contact with the suspension spring. As a result, the hose will be damaged and brake fluid will leak, reducing the braking performance and increasing the risk of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01048/24
The lubrication of the vacuum pump may be insufficient, which can cause it break.This can lead to reduced braking assistance, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01186/21
The teeth of the timing belt may wear off prematurely due to excessive dynamic tension in dusty conditions. As a result, the engine may stall at high engine speeds and not being able to restart, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not meet the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0481/17
A problem with a component of the gearbox actuator could prevent gear changing or cause the driver to change to the wrong gear. This could lead to the vehicle moving in the opposite direction to that intended by the driver.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0570/17
An internal component of an electric relay is faulty. As a consequence, the starter may not be activated, the starter control may be constantly blocked or the starter may operate unexpectedly. This could lead to unexpected movement of the vehicle or fire caused by damage to the starter due to overheating.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1047/16
Due to a problem with the fuel rail of the engine, fuel could leak.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1585/16
The bonnet may not lock securely and could open unexpectedly whilst driving.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02655/25
Due to oil carbonisation and high contact pressure, the 7 mm camshaft chain resistance can be reduced. This may cause the camshaft chain to break, leading to an engine failure. This can cause a loss of vehicle's control and increase the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
1 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.