2008 Citroën Xsara · 11,255 MOT tests
2008 Citroën Xsara reliability
2008 Citroën Xsaras fail 50.7% of first MOT tests, 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 11 Xsara years (11,255 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- 50.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën Xsaras: 50.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 21% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 14
- 97,694
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 14
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 11,255
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 8.3% of tests fail here (356% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 21% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Citroën Xsara
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.6%
- Suspension20.5%
- Body, chassis and structure16.4%
- Brakes8.6%
- Seat belts and airbags8.3%
- Tyres7.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 7.42%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 6.82%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Stop lamp not working 6.8%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 5.84%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.39%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.37%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.3%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.56%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.26%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.94%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (5.17%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (4.65%)
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 2008 Citroën Xsara reliable?
2008 Citroën Xsaras fail 50.7% of first MOT tests, 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 11 Xsara years (11,255 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Citroën Xsara MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (7.42% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (6.82% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.8% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Citroën Xsara have done?
At its MOT aged about 14, a typical 2008 Citroën Xsara shows 97,694 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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