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CITROEN XSARA (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 218 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Diesel1997cc27 years old218 tests88k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1997cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 27 years old, 67% of CITROEN XSARAs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 218 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 88,392 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars319th of 375(top 85%)
Rank among CITROEN models531th of 599(top 89%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average-8%(75% avg)
vs CITROEN average-12%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

88,392

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 CITROEN XSARA has 88,392 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 72% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1999 sits between the two at 67%.

CITROEN XSARA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201072%2,31892,813 mi
200971%4,24894,809 mi
200867%5,348101,789 mi
200767%9,515104,291 mi
200668%10,059102,625 mi
200566%6,241108,979 mi
200468%5,455114,026 mi
200366%3,664117,235 mi
200268%2,613112,057 mi
200166%1,687115,502 mi
200067%464107,932 mi
199967%21888,392 mi
199869%27194,084 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1999 CITROEN XSARA

The 1999 CITROEN XSARA is a family car with a 1997cc diesel engine. 218 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 85% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 88,392 miles at 27 years old, CITROEN XSARA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1999 CITROEN XSARA 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 £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 XSARA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CITROEN XSARA Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1999 CITROEN XSARA

At 27 years old, the CITROEN XSARA 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 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 72%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 CITROEN XSARA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 88k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 XSARA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN XSARA(1999)67%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2001)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)70%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2001)75%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(2001)75%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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