MOT cost .
Citroen Xsara
MOT 2023
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Citroen

Xsara

46,898 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Xsaras pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.

That's 13.2 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,988 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.

Pass

62.5%

Pass-after-fix

6.4%

Fail

30.4%

Avg miles

104,234

Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%

The picture

Xsara: a below-average pass rate worth digging into

Across 46,898 MOT tests, the Xsara returns 62.5% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 104,234, 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.

  1. 01

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

    3,636 occurrences · 7.8% of tests

  2. 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

    3,427 occurrences · 7.3% of tests

  3. 03

    A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated

    2,094 occurrences · 4.5% of tests

  4. 04

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    2,088 occurrences · 4.5% of tests

  5. 05

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    2,069 occurrences · 4.4% of tests

  6. 06

    A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

    2,040 occurrences · 4.3% of tests

  7. 07

    Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1,843 occurrences · 3.9% of tests

  8. 08

    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

    1,669 occurrences · 3.6% of tests

  9. 09

    Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

    1,469 occurrences · 3.1% of tests

  10. 10

    Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view

    1,444 occurrences · 3.1% 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 →

Try the calculator

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

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.