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Citroen Xsara years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

16,592 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2009 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 7 Citroen Xsara years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

51.1%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 50.3% to 51.9%.

In 2025, 51.1% of the 16,592 initial MOT tests on Citroen Xsara cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 57.6%. That is 6.5 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Xsara

Its own MOT history, free.

Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2009age 161,88792,40053.9%±2.3−4.4 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 172,04999,10050.2%±2.2−7.0 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 183,540100,00049.7%±1.7−7.7 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 193,70498,00051.9%±1.7−5.1 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 202,209104,80050.2%±2.1−7.4 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,906106,30050.7%±2.3−7.1 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,297107,80052.1%±2.8−6.6 ptsall: 58.7%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Citroen Xsara first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

65.6% of Citroen Xsara tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 45.7% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 68.0% and 54.1%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9991,66965.6%±2.4−2.4 ptsall: 68.0%
60,000–89,9994,50353.5%±1.5−5.8 ptsall: 59.3%
90,000–119,9995,31049.0%±1.4−5.7 ptsall: 54.7%
120,000 or more4,87645.7%±1.5−8.4 ptsall: 54.1%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Xsara tests were below average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Citroen Xsara tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 87 tests (0.5%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Xsara problems at the MOT

Share of the 8,115 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Xsara

Based on the areas where Citroen Xsara MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 52.8% of failed Xsara tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 37.4% of failed Xsara tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Body, chassis, structure

    In 29.2% of failed Xsara tests

    • Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
    • Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot. They should latch properly.
    • Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.

  4. Brakes

    In 20.5% of failed Xsara tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Xsara's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Citroen Xsara cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Citroen Xsara cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.6% failed on tyres, against 4.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,119 and 5,808 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory9.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 27.0% of those with a tyre advisory and 23.7% of the others.

Brakes

Of Citroen Xsara cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.9% failed on brakes, against 6.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,777 and 6,123 cars.

  • With a brake advisory11.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 29.2% of those with a brake advisory and 23.1% of the others.

Suspension

Of Citroen Xsara cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 21.5% failed on suspension, against 13.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,720 and 6,033 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory21.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted13.2%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 31.1% of those with a suspension advisory and 22.4% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Citroen Xsara questions

Which Citroen Xsara years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2003–2009. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Citroen Xsara reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 51.1% of initial MOT tests on Citroen Xsara cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 57.6%. That is 6.5 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Citroen Xsara problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 52.8% of failed tests), suspension (in 37.4% of failed tests) and body, chassis, structure (in 29.2% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 20-year-old Citroen Xsara?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Citroen Xsara cars first used in 2005, about 20 years old, had a median of 104,800 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Xsara's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Citroen Xsara

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Citroen models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 18 Citroen modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Citroen Xsara cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count