2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 304 MOT tests, the 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso recorded a 65.1% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 4.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 24.7% of all tests — 7.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 34 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 36.6% versus 26.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 40.5% in 2021 to 26.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.7% | 75 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.1% | 52 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.2% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.6% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 34 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 25 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Joints | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.5% | 120 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.5% | 117 |
| 3 | Tyres | 37.8% | 115 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 67 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.1% | 64 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 55 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 71 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 109 | 38.5% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 167 | 35.3% |
| Diesel | 137 | 34.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 40.5% |
| 2022 | 70 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 71 | 36.6% |
| 2024 | 50 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 34 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Xsara Picasso
On a 2005 Xsara Picasso, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 24.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (24.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Citroen Xsara Picassos pass their MOT?
65.1% of the 304 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.7% of tests, followed by suspension (17.1%).
Does the 2005 Xsara Picasso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.8% in the 60-90k band to 36.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 304 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.