2005 Citroen Xsara petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Rust in key structural areas5.8× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  7.6% All 2005 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  14% All 2005 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 2.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Steering rack4.1× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  6.2% All 2005 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Brake lights1.7× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  9.2% All 2005 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 4.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar link joints1.8× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  7.8% All 2005 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  44% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  36% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  34% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Rust and bodywork
  18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rust in key structural areas? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the 2005 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?