Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate and common problems
57.4% of 38,397 Citroen Xsara MOT tests pass.
The Xsara passes 57.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Citroen models (71.7%).
The Citroen Xsara passes 57.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Citroen Xsara?
This is the average across every Citroen Xsara in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Citroen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 63.1% at 10–15 years to 56.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (5) | 5 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 63.1% | 3,597 | 91,969 miles |
| 15+ years | 56.9% | 34,795 | 106,223 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Citroen Xsara
The most common reason the Citroen Xsara fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 73.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 73.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 47.9% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 35.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 31.0% | Excessively corroded |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 18.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 18.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 13.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 12.2% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Citroen Xsara: what to check
These checks follow the Citroen Xsara’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Citroen Xsara comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 63.1% to 56.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 70.1% down to 61.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 73.6% of failed Citroen Xsara MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 47.9% of failed Citroen Xsara MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 35.5% of failed Citroen Xsara MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 31.0% of failed Citroen Xsara MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 18.4% of failed Citroen Xsara MOTs.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Citroen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Citroen models
- Citroen DS3 — 63.0% pass rate
- Citroen Dispatch — 69.7% pass rate
- Citroen C3 Aircross — 88.0% pass rate
- Citroen C5 — 81.6% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Cactus — 80.5% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Grand Picasso — 70.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen Xsara?
- 57.4% of Citroen Xsara MOT tests pass, based on 38,397 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Citroen Xsara?
- The most common reason the Citroen Xsara fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 73.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Citroen Xsara?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Citroen Xsara are lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion.
- What should I check when buying a used Citroen Xsara?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; brakes; seat belts and airbags. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Citroen Xsara's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Citroen service history guide for how to check and keep one.