Used car guide · 1997–2010

Citroen Xsara common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Citroen Xsara, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 79,864 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1997 Citroen Xsara

Too few Citroen Xsara cars first registered in 1997 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Citroen Xsara as a whole.

36on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1997 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997

What usually goes wrong with a Citroen Xsara?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Citroen Xsara in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Citroen Xsara MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 areas

    up to 23× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    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.

  • Steering rack

    up to 5.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

Diesel

  • Rust in key structural areas

    up to 21.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 5.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Citroen Xsara did best (54% passed first time, 5 points below all 2009 cars) and the 2005 did worst (48%, 9 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201054%60% -63,482
200954%59% -56,833
200849%57% -88,080
200749%57% -814,432
200651%56% -515,404
200548%57% -99,627
200450%57% -78,562
200350%57% -75,663
200253%58% -54,105
200150%60% -102,532
200048%61% -13721
199948%63% -15225 (small sample)
199856%65% -9198 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 rust in key structural areas? (Flagged at MOT 22.7× as often on the Citroen Xsara as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Citroen Xsara as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the Citroen Xsara as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Citroen Xsara?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score