Citroen Xantia (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 234 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,527

£211/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,527/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel1997cc27 years old234 tests124k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,527

Per month£211/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

69% of MOT tests on Citroen Xantias from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 234 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 124,027 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models283rd of 361(bottom 22%)

Rank among Citroen models481st of 589(bottom 19%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-6%(75% avg)

vs Citroen average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

124,027

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Citroen Xantia had 124,027 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 64%. The 1999 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Citroen Xantia by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2001	72%	36	125,777 mi
2000	75%	221	142,688 mi
1999	69%	234	124,027 mi
1998	71%	139	116,986 mi
1997	64%	120	117,619 mi
1996	66%	134	118,396 mi
1995	75%	73	106,799 mi
1994	67%	86	114,983 mi
1993	67%	30	118,556 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2001 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

+3%

Land Rover Discovery

2001 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,641/year

75%

+6%

Land Rover Defender

2001 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,641/year

75%

+6%

BMW 3 Series

2000 · 1951cc Diesel

£2,327/year

77%

+8%

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About the 1999 Citroen Xantia

The 1999 Citroen Xantia is a family car. Our records list a 1997cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 234 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 22% of 1999 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 124,027 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen Xantia owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 Citroen Xantia Fuel Costs

The 1997cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1999 Citroen Xantia?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,527 (£211/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Citroen Xantia Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen Xantias pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1999 Citroen Xantia

At 27 years old, the Citroen Xantia is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2000 model has the highest pass rate at 75%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 124k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 Citroen Xantia stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Citroen Xantia(1999)	69%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527
Volkswagen Golf(2001)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£300
Land Rover Discovery(2001)	75%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£114
Land Rover Defender(2001)	75%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£114
BMW 3 Series(2000)	77%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1999 Citroen Xantia

Is the 1999 Citroen Xantia reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 1999 Citroen Xantias ended in a pass, from 234 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Citroen Xantia cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,527 a year (£211 a month): £1,397 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Citroen Xantia?

69% of 234 MOT tests on the 1999 Citroen Xantia ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 283rd of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom 22%).

Which year Citroen Xantia has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 Citroen Xantia has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 1997 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1999 Citroen Xantia?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Citroen Xantia is 124,027 miles, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.