Family hatchback · 1997–2021 cars
Citroën Xsara reliability
The Citroën Xsara fails 50.4% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 115,804 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën Xsara before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 50.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 115,804
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën Xsara ages
Each point is the share of Citroën Xsaras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën Xsara | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 38.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 43.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 46.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 48.5% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 50.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 51.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 51.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 52.1% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 51.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 50.6% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 49.9% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 51.8% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 53.5% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 47% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 44.5% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën Xsara years
2004 cars come out best and 2001 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Xsara | 4,525 | 44.5% | 17% more fails | 86,765 |
| 2009 Xsara | 8,863 | 46.2% | 17% more fails | 88,759 |
| 2008 Xsara | 11,255 | 50.7% | 21% more fails | 97,694 |
| 2007 Xsara | 20,713 | 51.1% | 19% more fails | 98,969 |
| 2006 Xsara | 22,279 | 50% | 16% more fails | 97,959 |
| 2005 Xsara | 14,673 | 53.4% | 22% more fails | 105,392 |
| 2004 Xsara | 13,029 | 50.4% | 14% more fails | 109,651 |
| 2003 Xsara | 8,594 | 52.1% | 19% more fails | 112,687 |
| 2002 Xsara | 6,228 | 49.6% | 16% more fails | 109,993 |
| 2001 Xsara | 3,817 | 51.9% | 23% more fails | 110,968 |
| 2000 Xsara | 1,065 | 49.3% | 23% more fails | 98,893 |
| 1999 | 385 | 53.5% | 48% more fails | 79,947 |
| 1998 | 338 | 42.3% | 18% more fails | 86,692 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën Xsara
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 228% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.8%25% above avg
- Suspension19.2%15% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure14.7%80% above avg
- Brakes10.8%13% below avg
- Tyres8.2%15% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags8.1%228% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%2% above avg
- Steering6.4%72% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.3%5% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.64% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 6.32% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened 5.77% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.24% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.21% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.11% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.9% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 8
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.88% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën Xsara's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit18.39%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.16%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive10.49%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy10.48%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.94%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak5.68%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën Xsara
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Citroën Xsara covers about 7,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol57.1%
- Diesel42.9%
- LPG0%
- Other0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Grey, Red, Blue, Beige
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën Xsara compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus CT | 15.5% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 12.5% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V50 | 44.3% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki SX4 | 28.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Leaf | 20% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Xsara | 50.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 307 | 51.9% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Citroën models.
Questions
Citroën Xsara questions, answered
Is the Citroën Xsara reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën Xsara is below average: it fails 50.4% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 49 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën Xsara MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën Xsara are position lamp not working (6.64% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.32% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (5.77% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 25.8% of its tests.
Which Citroën Xsara year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2001 cars do worst (23% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën Xsara do a year?
A typical Citroën Xsara covers about 7,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Citroën Xsara before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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