Citroen
Xsara
52,137 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Xsaras pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 16.0 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
61.5%
Pass-after-fix
6.3%
Fail
31.5%
Avg miles
105,564
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Citroen Xsara: challenging MOT record across 46,898 tests
The Citroen Xsara is a petrol-powered car sold in the UK market across multiple generations, covering a broad date range in the test population.
MOT data from 46,898 tests puts this car on a 62.5% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 104,234 miles. The most common fail item is failed number plate light, followed by the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorageis significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
The Xsara's pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 6–22
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
6–22
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
3,417 occurrences · 6.6% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
2,878 occurrences · 5.5% of tests
- 03
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
2,240 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
2,082 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 05
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
2,033 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 06
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2,022 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 07
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
1,685 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
1,679 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 09
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
1,457 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 10
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
1,380 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£78–£295
If every one of this Xsara's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Summit
Summit ADRG-169 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-170 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-48 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-49 Citroen Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
8 UK recalls on record.
The Xsara has 8 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Xsara?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Xsara and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.