2003 Citroen Xsara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Citroen Xsara passed 68.1% of its 19,184 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.8 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
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 15.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 1,394 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.6% versus 24.5%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.3% of the time against 32.5% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 3,678 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 3,010 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 1,962 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.8% | 1,698 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 1,384 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 1,177 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 1,394 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,221 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,164 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 1,039 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,020 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 992 |
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 | 36.6% | 7,019 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.2% | 6,171 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.0% | 5,556 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 3,629 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.2% | 3,300 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 3,282 |
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 | 155 | 24.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,454 | 23.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,920 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,405 | 32.5% |
| 120-150k | 4,657 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,499 | 35.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,657 | 32.5% |
| Petrol | 9,527 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,719 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 4,786 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 3,489 | 32.0% |
| 2024 | 2,462 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 1,728 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Xsara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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 (10.2% 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 2003 Citroen Xsaras pass their MOT?
68.1% of the 19,184 2003 Citroen Xsara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen Xsara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2003 Xsara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.5% in the 0-30k band to 35.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,184 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.