2008 Citroen Xsara Picasso — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 328 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Citroen Xsara Picasso, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 67.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.3% in the 120-150k group versus 26.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 60 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 53 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 33 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 21 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.4% | 21 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.2% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 20 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 6 | Joints | 16 |
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 | 37.2% | 122 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.0% | 82 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 70 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.1% | 66 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 52 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.6% | 51 |
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 | 42 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 103 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 113 | 36.3% |
| 120-150k | 54 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 180 | 32.8% |
| Petrol | 148 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 62 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 89 | 39.3% |
| 2023 | 61 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 66 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 50 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Xsara Picasso
Before buying a 2008 Citroen Xsara Picasso, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% 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 (10.1% 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 2008 Citroen Xsara Picassos pass their MOT?
67.4% of the 328 2008 Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen Xsara Picasso?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2008 Xsara Picasso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.2% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 328 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.