2002 Citroen Xsara — MOT failures & pass rate
13,845 MOT tests on the 2002 Citroen Xsara are in this dataset, and 68.0% of them passed. That is 4.0 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.6%) and suspension (15.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, headlamp aim and exhaust system — prescribed areas alone was recorded 992 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.5% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.4% of the time against 32.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.4% in 2021 to 31.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 2,441 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 2,079 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 1,622 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 1,149 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 943 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 902 |
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 | 992 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 836 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 722 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 710 |
| 5 | Wipers | 702 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 702 |
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 | 34.2% | 4,737 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.9% | 4,281 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.9% | 3,720 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 2,874 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 2,756 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 19.4% | 2,691 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 165 | 26.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,304 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,937 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 3,647 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,060 | 35.2% |
| 150k+ | 2,589 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,357 | 31.4% |
| Diesel | 6,488 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,917 | 33.4% |
| 2022 | 3,450 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 2,470 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 1,747 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 1,261 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Xsara
On a 2002 Xsara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (11.7% 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 2002 Citroen Xsaras pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 13,845 2002 Citroen Xsara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Citroen Xsara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2002 Xsara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.7% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,845 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.