Used car guide

2007 Citroen Xsara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Citroen Xsaras, from 3,546 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,546MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
5,500typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Citroen Xsaras than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    15% All 2007 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rust in key structural areas7.6× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    7.6% All 2007 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 0.7% of all 2007 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 damage2.7× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    6.5% All 2007 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.7% of all 2007 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.

  • Steering rack3.7× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    4.4% All 2007 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.6% of all 2007 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

Coil springs: 5.5% here, against 11.7% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Citroen Xsara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    43% 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
    40% 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
    31% 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 bodywork
    18% 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 leaks
    16% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010992Suspension 41%
20091,893Suspension 41%
20082,058Lights and electrics 45%
20063,724Suspension 43%
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 2007 Citroen Xsaras registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score