2002 Citroen Xsara: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Citroen Xsara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Citroen Xsara than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  18% All 2002 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Rust in key structural areas3.7× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  6.3% All 2002 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.2% of all 2002 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.

• Side repeaters3.9× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  5.9% All 2002 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  7.6% All 2002 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  7.2% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.1% of all 2002 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.

Common 2002 Citroen Xsara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 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
  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.

• Brakes
  40% 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.

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  20% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Citroen Xsara

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2002 Citroen Xsara as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rust in key structural areas? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2002 Citroen Xsara as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2002 Citroen Xsara as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?