2006 Citroen Xsara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 46,748 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Citroen Xsara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.8% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (72.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.4% in the 150k+ group versus 21.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 8,612 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 6,099 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 5,058 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.5% | 3,965 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 2,778 |
| 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 | 3,719 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,276 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 3,235 |
| 4 | Joints | 2,387 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,241 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 2,008 |
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% | 13,332 |
| 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 | 13,995 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 15,984 | 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 | 28,267 | 29.8% |
| Diesel | 18,481 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,537 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 11,447 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 8,967 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 6,825 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 4,972 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Xsara
Before buying a 2006 Citroen Xsara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests for this year.
- 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 46,748 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 46,748 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.