CITROEN C4 CACTUS (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 510 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
92%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 5-15
1200cc Petrol
Great Choice
92% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 10 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the CITROEN brand average of 79%.
At 5 years old, 92% of CITROEN C4 CACTUSs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 510 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 27,802 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
27,802
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS has 27,802 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2021 sits between the two at 92%.
CITROEN C4 CACTUS by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS
The 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS is a city car with a 1200cc petrol engine. 510 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 27,802 miles at 5 years old, CITROEN C4 CACTUS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS Fuel Costs
The modest 1200cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
CITROEN C4 CACTUS Reliability Trend
Newer CITROEN C4 CACTUSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS
At 5 years old, the CITROEN C4 CACTUS offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2021 CITROEN C4 CACTUS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITROEN C4 CACTUS(2021) | 92% | £955 | £195 | Grp 5-15 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Citroen Models
Explore other Citroen cars or similar models in the same category.
CITROEN C4
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2010 · 1398cc Diesel
FORD FIESTA
2019 · 998cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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