Used car guide

2006 Citroen Xsara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Citroen Xsaras, from 3,724 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,724MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
5,200typical miles a year
5.8×the usual rate for rust in key structural areas

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Citroen Xsaras than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Rust in key structural areas5.8× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    7% All 2006 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 0.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.3× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    6.8% All 2006 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    8.1% All 2006 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering rack3.3× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    4% All 2006 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 5.4% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars. Sub-frame: 3.4% here, against 7.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Citroen Xsara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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 electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    17% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010992Suspension 41%
20091,893Suspension 41%
20082,058Lights and electrics 45%
20073,546Suspension 44%
20052,218Suspension 48%
20041,912Suspension 52%
20031,299Suspension 48%
2002949Suspension 43%
2001589Lights and electrics 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Citroen Xsaras registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score