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Citroen Xsara reliability by build year

Coverage 1997-20062 named generationsHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Citroen Xsara built around 2007: about average at the MOT

Citroen Xsaras built around 2007 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Citroen Xsara by number plate

Key figure

35% of MOT tests on Citroen Xsaras built around 2007 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen Xsaras built around 2007 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen Xsara's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Xsara's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Xsara Mk2 (facelift)

Mk2 (facelift) (2000-2006)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

34.3% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 4,206 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL
4,109 MOT tests across all agesNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Citroen Xsara.

See every build year for the Citroen Xsara

By age

Citroen Xsara fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen Xsara ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
28233.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,25833.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,69434.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,67334.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,69334.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,20634.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,98634.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,34934.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,65734.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,11734.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
55733.8%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
29336.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 18-year-old Citroen Xsaras

These issues come from 18-year-old Citroen Xsaras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    24.2%
    Advisory: 1,857Fail: 178 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    17.6%
    Advisory: 932Fail: 389 (29% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    16.7%
    Advisory: 976Fail: 12 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.6%
    Advisory: 1,194Fail: 158 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    12.7%
    Advisory: 933Fail: 82 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 5,693 MOT tests on 18-year-old Citroen Xsaras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 18-year-old Citroen Xsaras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres26%
  2. Lighting + Tyres25%
  3. Brakes + Suspension25%
  4. Lighting + Suspension24%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,771 MOT tests on Citroen Xsara cars built around 2007 (18 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Citroen Xsara.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

7 of the 8 Citroen Xsara recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 recalls

Top concerns

  • Rear damper may become insecure
  • Seatbelt restraining ability may be affected
  • Accelerator pedal may work loose

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.8%
    Dangerous
    3.7%

    Lower fail rate: 22.4%, against 34.6% for the Citroen Xsara, both built around 2007.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,018 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  2. 2

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.7%, against 34.6% for the Citroen Xsara, both built around 2007.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,859 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  3. 3

    Toyota Corolla

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    6.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.4%, against 34.6% for the Citroen Xsara, both built around 2007.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    9,326 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  4. 4

    Smart ForTwo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.9%, against 34.6% for the Citroen Xsara, both built around 2007.

    1,501 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the Citroen Xsara across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 5,693 18-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen Xsara ever sold: 27,765 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2007 (18 years old): 5,693 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.