2003 Citroën Xsara · 8,594 MOT tests
2003 Citroën Xsara reliability
2003 Citroën Xsaras fail 52.1% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 11 Xsara years (8,594 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- 52.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 19% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 112,687
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 8,594
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 6.7% of tests fail here (104% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 13% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Citroën Xsara
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.4%
- Suspension21.6%
- Body, chassis and structure14.3%
- Brakes12.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.2%
- Tyres8.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.9%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 5.56%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.84%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 4.61%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.32%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.11%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.33%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (16.17%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (12.37%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (12.17%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.5%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (9.24%)
Other years
Every Citroën Xsara year
The full picture: Citroën Xsara reliability. Before you pay for any Citroën Xsara, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Citroën Xsara reliable?
2003 Citroën Xsaras fail 52.1% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 11 Xsara years (8,594 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Citroën Xsara MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.9% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.56% of tests), exhaust has major gas leak (4.84% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Citroën Xsara have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Citroën Xsara shows 112,687 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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