2005 Citroën Xsara · 14,673 MOT tests
2005 Citroën Xsara reliability
2005 Citroën Xsaras fail 53.4% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 11 Xsara years (14,673 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2005 Citroën Xsara?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- 53.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 105,392
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 14,673
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- 2006 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 9% of tests fail here (216% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Citroën Xsara
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.7%
- Suspension20.2%
- Body, chassis and structure15.1%
- Brakes13.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.9%
- Seat belts and airbags9%
- Tyres8.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 7.29%
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 6.87%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 6.73%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.26%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.96%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.81%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (19.06%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.03%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.14%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.2%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.65%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.83%)
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 2005 Citroën Xsara reliable?
2005 Citroën Xsaras fail 53.4% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 11 Xsara years (14,673 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Citroën Xsara MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (7.29% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.87% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (6.73% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Citroën Xsara have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Citroën Xsara shows 105,392 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Check a 2005 Citroën Xsara free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.