2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso passed 68.8% of its 397 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.1% of the time, so this is 2.1pp 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 18.6% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, position lamp and stop lamp — prescribed areas alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 45.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 74 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 57 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 36 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.8% | 31 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.0% | 28 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.3% | 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 | 40 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 29 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 24 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 6 | Joints | 20 |
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 | 30.0% | 119 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.4% | 77 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.9% | 75 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 72 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 65 |
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 | 51 | 25.5% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 147 | 34.7% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 45.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 227 | 30.4% |
| Diesel | 170 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 96 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 78 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 72 | 37.5% |
| 2025 | 51 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Xsara Picasso
On a 2007 Xsara Picasso, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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 (9.1% 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 2007 Citroen Xsara Picassos pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 397 2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2007 Xsara Picasso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.5% in the 30-60k band to 45.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 397 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.