2009 Citroen Xsara petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Rust in key structural areas13.8× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  6.9% All 2009 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system1.7× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  13.6% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  10% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Steering rack inner joints3× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  6.7% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  7.1% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.3% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  38% 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
  21% 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
  14% 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
  14% 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 2009 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 13.8× as often on the 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?