The picture
Xantia: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 595 MOT tests, the Xantia returns 68.4% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. Windscreen damage and service brake efficiency below minimum requirement round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 122,764, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
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
36 occurrences · 6.1% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
21 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 03
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
19 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 04
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
19 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
19 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 06
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
16 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
15 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
15 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 09
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
13 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 10
A tyre seriously damaged
12 occurrences · 2.0% 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 2 failures
£160–£480
If every one of this Xantia'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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Buying or keeping a Xantia?
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 Xantia 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.