MOT failure data · 2025
Citroen Xsara MOT problems
Across every Citroen Xsara that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was prescribed areas prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced, on 5.99% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 25.58%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Citroen Xsara MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.99% |
| 2 | Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis, structure | 4.55% |
| 3 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.34% |
| 4 | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.91% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.72% |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 3.53% |
| 7 | Integral vehicle structure condition corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | Body, chassis, structure | 3.43% |
| 8 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.15% |
| 9 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.69% |
| 10 | Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 2.4% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Citroen Xsara, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Citroen Xsara buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Citroen Xsara?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Citroen models
- Citroen C3 MOT problems
- Citroen Berlingo MOT problems
- Citroen C4 MOT problems
- Citroen C1 MOT problems
- Citroen DS3 MOT problems
- Citroen Dispatch MOT problems
Citroen Xsara MOT FAQs
What does a Citroen Xsara most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Citroen Xsara cars failing their 2025 MOT was "prescribed areas prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced", appearing on 5.99% of failure items.
Does this mean my Citroen Xsara will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Citroen Xsara that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Citroen Xsara passed 59.29% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Citroen Xsara's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate · used Citroen Xsara buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.