Is the Citroen Xsara reliable?

The Citroen Xsara has an average MOT pass rate of 68% across 13 years, based on 52,101 tests in 2026. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2010 with a 72% pass rate.

Which year Citroen Xsara is best?

The 2010 Citroen Xsara has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 66%. There's a 6 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Citroen Xsara

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 13 years from 52,101 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

68%

Total Tests

52,101

Best Year

2010 (72%)

Years Covered

About the Citroen Xsara

The Citroen Xsara has been tested 52,101 times in 2026 MOT data across 13 model years (1998 to 2010), with an average pass rate of 68%. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2010 model is the most reliable with a 72% pass rate from 2,318 tests. The 2005 model has the lowest at 66%. The 6 point spread between years means reliability varies somewhat, but no year is dramatically different.

Reliability Trend

The CITROEN XSARA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1998) averages 94,084 miles, while the newest (2010) averages 92,813 miles.

Compared to the Citroen brand average of 79%, the Xsara is 11 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Citroen models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1749cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2010 details

How reliable is the Citroen Xsara?

vs national average-14% (82% avg)

vs Citroen brand average-11% (79% avg)

Best to worst year spread6 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Citroen Xsara by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	72%	2,318	92,813 mi
2009	71%	4,248	94,809 mi
2008	67%	5,348	101,789 mi
2007	67%	9,515	104,291 mi
2006	68%	10,059	102,625 mi
2005	66%	6,241	108,979 mi
2004	68%	5,455	114,026 mi
2003	66%	3,664	117,235 mi
2002	68%	2,613	112,057 mi
2001	66%	1,687	115,502 mi
2000	67%	464	107,932 mi
1999	67%	218	88,392 mi
1998	69%	271	94,084 mi