Citroen Xsara: what fails at MOT
31,000 MOT tests on the Citroen Xsara in 2024, counted. 51.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
51.1% of Citroen Xsara tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 41.6%, so the Xsara does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (18.2% of tests), suspension (13.1% of tests) and body and structure (10.1% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, body and structure and seat belts and airbags more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,662 | 45.4% | 38.6% | 90,300 69,300 to 111,000 |
| 2009 | 3,059 | 48.0% | 39.8% | 91,700 70,800 to 114,200 |
| 2008 | 3,771 | 52.6% | 41.5% | 100,000 79,300 to 121,800 |
| 2007 | 6,790 | 52.3% | 41.5% | 102,200 80,500 to 124,500 |
| 2006 | 7,033 | 50.5% | 42.4% | 100,300 79,000 to 123,600 |
| 2005 | 4,398 | 53.4% | 42.2% | 106,500 82,800 to 133,200 |
| 2004 | 3,829 | 50.9% | 42.3% | 111,600 85,100 to 139,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Citroen Xsara tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Xsara | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 18.2% | 13.8% |
| Suspension | 13.1% | 11.2% |
| Body and structure More than most | 10.1% | 5.4% |
| Brakes | 7.2% | 8.3% |
| Tyres | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| Seat belts and airbags More than most | 5.4% | 1.6% |
| Steering More than most | 4.3% | 2.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.3% | 4.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light5.8%
- Brake light5.6%
- Driveshaft joint4.6%
- Corrosion near mountings4.4%
- Headlamp4.4%
- Headlamp aim4.0%
- Tyre3.9%
- Ball joint3.1%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings2.5%
- Tyre tread2.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working5.4%
- Brake light: not working5.1%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.5%
- Corrosion near mountings: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced4.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.0%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.6%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.3%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive7.9%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material7.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.6%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases4.2%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play3.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Are any warning lights on, such as the airbag light?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Citroen Xsara's own MOT record
Looking at a Xsara? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.