2004 Citroën Xsara · 13,029 MOT tests
2004 Citroën Xsara reliability
2004 Citroën Xsaras fail 50.4% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 11 Xsara years (13,029 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- 50.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 109,651
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,029
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 6.9% of tests fail here (122% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 11% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Citroën Xsara
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.6%
- Suspension19.7%
- Brakes12.5%
- Body, chassis and structure12.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.4%
- Tyres8.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.48%
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 5.95%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 4.6%
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 3.97%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.97%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.75%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.43%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.33%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.95%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.61%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.11%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.04%)
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 2004 Citroën Xsara reliable?
2004 Citroën Xsaras fail 50.4% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 11 Xsara years (13,029 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Citroën Xsara MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.48% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.95% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (4.6% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Citroën Xsara have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Citroën Xsara shows 109,651 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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