Used car guide

2008 Citroen Xsara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Citroen Xsaras, from 2,058 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,058MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
8.2×the usual rate for rust in key structural areas

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Citroen Xsaras than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rust in key structural areas8.2× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    7.4% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    13.7% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Body structure rust or damage3× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    6.5% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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 rack4.5× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    4.9% All 2008 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
    Citroen Xsara
    8% All 2008 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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.

By area

The share of 2008 Citroen Xsara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • 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
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • 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%
20073,546Suspension 44%
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 2008 Citroen Xsaras registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score