Petrol Citroen Xsara: MOT pass rate

59.2% of petrol Citroen Xsaras pass the MOT first time, measured across 15,505 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 95,368.

Petrol against the other Citroen Xsara versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Citroen Xsara specifically, petrol is the strongest at 59.2%, and this petrol version sits 0.8 points above the 58.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Citroen Xsara had covered 95,368 miles at test, against 117,248 for the diesel. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Citroen Xsara page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Citroen Xsara

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 8.1% of tests (30.15x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.7% of tests (11.42x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 5% of tests (5.32x the national rate for this defect)
4. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.9% of tests (5.26x the national rate for this defect)
5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 6.6% of tests (4.34x the national rate for this defect)
6. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.3% of tests (4.2x the national rate for this defect)
7. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 5.2% of tests (3.83x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.6% of tests (3.35x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 6.2% of tests (3.34x the national rate for this defect)
10. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 6.1% of tests (2.74x the national rate for this defect)

From 15,597 DVSA-tracked petrol Citroen Xsara tests, 2024, split out from the Citroen Xsara's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.55% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Citroen Xsara

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning, 5.7% of tests (23.79x the national rate for this defect)
2. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 13.6% of tests (4.77x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 6.4% of tests (4.69x the national rate for this defect)
4. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 5% of tests (4.53x the national rate for this defect)
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 5% of tests (4.03x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 16.1% of tests (2.6x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 13.8% of tests (2.48x the national rate for this defect)
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 5.6% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 20.5% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 20.7% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)

From 15,597 DVSA-tracked petrol Citroen Xsara tests, 2024.

Other Citroen Xsara fuel types

• Diesel Citroen Xsara - 57.4%

All Citroen Xsara MOT data · Every model