2005 Citroen Xsara: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Citroen Xsaras, from 2,218 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Citroen Xsaras than on all cars registered in 2005.
- Rust in key structural areas6.6× usualCitroen Xsara8.6% All 2005 cars1.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£250 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Steering rack3.9× usualCitroen Xsara6.2% All 2005 cars1.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Body structure rust or damage2.2× usualCitroen Xsara7.1% All 2005 cars3.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.
- Side repeaters2.9× usualCitroen Xsara5.2% All 2005 cars1.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Individual direction indicators1.8× usualCitroen Xsara6.2% All 2005 cars3.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Suspension arm: 1.3% here, against 4.1% of all 2005 cars.
By area
The share of 2005 Citroen Xsara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension48% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Lights and electrics44% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres38% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Brakes36% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Rust and bodywork20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Oil and fluid leaks17% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 992 | Suspension 41% |
| 2009 | 1,893 | Suspension 41% |
| 2008 | 2,058 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2007 | 3,546 | Suspension 44% |
| 2006 | 3,724 | Suspension 43% |
| 2004 | 1,912 | Suspension 52% |
| 2003 | 1,299 | Suspension 48% |
| 2002 | 949 | Suspension 43% |
| 2001 | 589 | Lights and electrics 44% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Citroen Xsaras registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score