2006 Citroen Xsara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Citroen Xsara passed 69.8% of its 46,754 recorded MOT tests. Small family cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 2.8pp 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 18.4% of all tests — 5.4 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 3,720 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.4% versus 21.3%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 29.8% of the time against 30.9% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 31.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 8,615 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 6,100 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 5,060 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.5% | 3,965 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 2,779 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 2,766 |
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 | 3,720 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,277 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 3,236 |
| 4 | Joints | 2,388 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,241 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 2,009 |
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 | 31.5% | 14,736 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 13,334 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.4% | 10,454 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 8,068 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 7,138 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.1% | 6,142 |
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 | 417 | 21.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,452 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 13,998 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 15,987 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 8,496 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,252 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,273 | 29.8% |
| Diesel | 18,481 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,538 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 11,449 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 8,968 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 6,827 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 4,972 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Xsara
On a 2006 Xsara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 (10.8% 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 2006 Citroen Xsaras pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 46,754 2006 Citroen Xsara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen Xsara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2006 Xsara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,754 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.