2009 Citroen Xsara: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Citroen Xsaras, from 1,893 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 2009 Citroen Xsaras than on all cars registered in 2009.
- Rust in key structural areas12.2× usualCitroen Xsara7.3% All 2009 cars0.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.
- Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usualCitroen Xsara11.4% All 2009 cars5.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt 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 damage3.6× usualCitroen Xsara5.7% All 2009 cars1.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.
- Steering rack inner joints2.5× usualCitroen Xsara6.3% All 2009 cars2.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.
- Individual direction indicators2.3× usualCitroen Xsara6.7% All 2009 cars2.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.
Coil springs: 5.8% here, against 12.4% of all 2009 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.7% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.
By area
The share of 2009 Citroen Xsara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension41% 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 electrics40% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres35% 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.
- Brakes23% 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 bodywork15% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions14% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 992 | Suspension 41% |
| 2008 | 2,058 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2007 | 3,546 | Suspension 44% |
| 2006 | 3,724 | Suspension 43% |
| 2005 | 2,218 | Suspension 48% |
| 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 2009 Citroen Xsaras registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score