2010 Citroen Xsara petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  17.2% All 2010 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2% of all 2010 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.

• Rust in key structural areas23× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  6.9% All 2010 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.2% of all 2010 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  10.3% All 2010 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.2% of all 2010 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.

• Body structure rust or damage5.2× usual
  Citroen Xsara

  4.7% All 2010 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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.

• Tyres
  37% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  18% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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.

• Steering
  14% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 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 exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rust in key structural areas? (Flagged at MOT 23× as often on the 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2010 Citroen Xsara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?