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CITROEN XSARA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 421 MOT tests from 28 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every CITROEN XSARA has the same fault.

CITROEN XSARA's have a average reliability rating of 459/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN XSARA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the CITROEN XSARA.

CITROEN XSARA side viewCITROEN XSARA (example)

Check a Citroen Xsara before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Citroen Xsara side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A558/999Above average80,769 miles671 vehicles
N/AN/A475/999Average94,967 miles1,026 vehicles
N/AN/A461/999Average78,362 miles11,853 vehicles
N/AN/A459/999Average89,632 miles1,953 vehicles
N/AN/A453/999Average84,051 miles1,091 vehicles
N/AN/A447/999Average81,826 miles1,992 vehicles
N/AN/A441/999Average88,589 miles6,086 vehicles
N/AN/A441/999Average80,468 miles8,400 vehicles
N/AN/A435/999Average91,749 miles6,620 vehicles
N/AN/A423/999Average85,467 miles7,913 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN XSARA?

Based on 421 MOT tests from 28 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

28

MOT tests

421

Pass rate

70.8%

Median mileage

97,181 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN XSARA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 522 out of 999.

Common CITROEN XSARA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 60 advisory comments and 16 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 23 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN HAS DAMAGE TO AN AREA LESS THAN A 40MM CIRCLE OUTSIDE ZONE 'A' (8.3.1D)

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 18 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: CENTRE EXHAUST HAS PART OF THE SYSTEM SLIGHTLY DETERIORATED (7.1.1A)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 16 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (3.5.1I)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REGISTRATION PLATE LAMP NOT WORKING (1.1.C.1D)

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 10 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

CITROEN XSARA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Not enough VehicleScore data for year-by-year conclusions.

What to check when buying a used CITROEN XSARA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Buying a CITROEN XSARA?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN XSARAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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