2000 Citroen Xsara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Citroen Xsara passed 67.2% of its 2,387 recorded MOT tests. That is 5.1 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.2%) and suspension (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, exhaust system and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 297 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.4% in the 30-60k band and 35.8% in the 150k+ band, a 7.4-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 32.6% of the time against 33.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 316 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 311 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 308 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.8% | 259 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 257 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 174 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 297 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 145 |
| 3 | Wipers | 144 |
| 4 | Joints | 132 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 96 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 95 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.2% | 769 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 704 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.5% | 632 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.5% | 584 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.4% | 512 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 396 |
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 | 296 | 28.4% |
| 60-90k | 591 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 662 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 362 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 419 | 35.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,840 | 32.6% |
| Diesel | 547 | 33.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 821 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 573 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 421 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 321 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 251 | 34.7% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Xsara
On a 2000 Xsara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 (12.9% 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 2000 Citroen Xsaras pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 2,387 2000 Citroen Xsara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Citroen Xsara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 2000 Xsara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.4% in the 30-60k band to 35.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,387 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.