2006 Citroen Xsara Picasso — MOT failures & pass rate
461 MOT tests on the 2006 Citroen Xsara Picasso are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests against 14.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, stop lamp and position lamp — prescribed areas alone was recorded 36 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.4% versus 21.9%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 36.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 65 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 51 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.2% | 33 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.9% | 32 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.4% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 36 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 33 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 29 |
| 5 | Joints | 27 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 36.0% | 166 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.7% | 146 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.7% | 114 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.1% | 88 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.7% | 86 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 85 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 64 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 161 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 147 | 34.7% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 303 | 31.0% |
| Diesel | 158 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 102 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 93 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 97 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 79 | 34.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Xsara Picasso
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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 (11.1% 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 2006 Citroen Xsara Picassos pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 461 2006 Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen Xsara Picasso?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2006 Xsara Picasso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 461 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.