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MOT statistics · 2023 tests

Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate, common failures and mileage

In 2023, 58.2% of 35,042 MOT tests on the Citroen Xsara ended in a pass, 18.3 points below the 76.5% average for all cars.

Pass rate
58.2%
All cars 76.5%
Tests
35,042
Initial MOTs in 2023
Mileage at 12
81k
Median; middle half 61k to 109k

Pass rate and mileage by age

Each row covers the Citroen Xsara MOT tests at that age. Mileage shows the median and the middle half of odometer readings, from the 25th to the 75th percentile.

AgePass rateMileage
12478 tests
63.2%
81,000 · 61k to 109k
132,366 tests
63.0%
87,000 · 67k to 109k
142,844 tests
60.4%
95,000 · 73k to 117k
154,616 tests
57.1%
99,000 · 77k to 121k
167,074 tests
58.7%
97,000 · 77k to 121k
175,355 tests
58.4%
99,000 · 79k to 125k
184,219 tests
55.7%
107,000 · 83k to 135k
193,258 tests
57.5%
111,000 · 83k to 137k
202,306 tests
58.2%
111,000 · 79k to 141k
211,521 tests
55.6%
111,000 · 81k to 141k
22705 tests
54.5%
107,000 · 79k to 139k
Xsara pass rateAll cars at that ageMiddle half of mileages

Most common MOT failures and advisories

How often each item came up, per 100 MOT tests on the Citroen Xsara. Advisories are things the tester noted that did not fail the car, often wear that will need attention soon. Follow an item to see what it means and how serious it is.

Failures

Side and tail lights
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
7.2in 100 tests
Brake lights
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
7.0in 100 tests
Corrosion in key areas
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is
6.5in 100 tests
Suspension and drive joints
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
5.6in 100 tests
Headlights
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
3.6in 100 tests
Steering joint covers
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
3.2in 100 tests
Corrosion near mountings
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mo
3.1in 100 tests
Headlight aim
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
3.0in 100 tests

Advisories and minor defects

Tyres
A tyre seriously damaged
11.9in 100 tests
Engine oil leaks
Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
11.2in 100 tests
Brake pipes
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
11.1in 100 tests
Brake discs
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
8.8in 100 tests
Number plate lights
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (minor defect)
8.2in 100 tests
Brake pads
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
4.9in 100 tests
Number plates
Number plate inscription missing or illegible
4.6in 100 tests
Suspension and drive joints
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated (minor defect)
4.3in 100 tests

What to check on a used Xsara

The parts that come up most often in Citroen Xsara MOTs, and how to look at them on a viewing.

  1. Tyres
    Check the tread across the full width of every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
  2. Oil leaks
    Look under the engine and gearbox, and at the ground where the car was parked, for fresh oil.
  3. Brake pipes and hoses
    Look underneath at the metal brake pipes for heavy rust, and at the rubber hoses for cracks or bulges.
  4. Brake discs and pads
    Ask when the discs and pads were last replaced, and look through the wheel for a raised lip on the edge of the disc.
  5. Lights
    Walk round with every light on, and ask someone to press the brake pedal so you can see both brake lights.

Check a specific Xsara

Fleet averages only go so far. Enter the registration to see that car's own MOT history, mileage record and current condition, free.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate of the Citroen Xsara?
In 2023, 58.2% of 35,042 initial MOT tests on the Citroen Xsara ended in a pass, against 76.5% for all cars and light vans.
What fails most often on a Citroen Xsara MOT?
The most common failures were side and tail lights (7.2 in 100 tests), brake lights (7.0 in 100 tests), corrosion in key areas (6.5 in 100 tests).
What is a normal mileage for a 12-year-old Citroen Xsara?
At 12 years old, the median Citroen Xsara at its MOT had covered 81,000 miles, and the middle half had between 61,000 and 109,000 miles.
What do MOT testers most often advise on a Citroen Xsara?
The most common advisories were tyres (11.9 in 100 tests), engine oil leaks (11.2 in 100 tests), brake pipes (11.1 in 100 tests).

Other Citroen models

Overall MOT pass rate in 2023. Compare all Citroen models or see every make.

C371.8%Berlingo69.2%C177.0%C467.9%DS361.5%Relay68.8%Dispatch68.8%Xsara58.2%C578.3%Cactus82.0%Nemo63.9%C259.4%DS464.5%

How these figures are made. We counted every initial MOT test (not retests) of cars and light vans in Great Britain in 2023 from the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset, 33,842,940 tests in all. Pass rate is the share of initial tests that ended in a pass, counting faults fixed during the test. Age is whole years from first registration to the test, so a car having its first MOT a few weeks early counts as 2.

Like-for-like pass rates average each model's pass rate at ages 3 to 10 with the same age mix for every model, so a model is not flattered by a young fleet or penalised by an old one. Models are grouped by the first word of the DVSA model name, and names that cover several models are left out.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. RegTail's analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset, 2023 tests.