How much does a 2003 CITROEN XSARA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 CITROEN XSARA?

The 2003 CITROEN XSARA has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 3,664 tests in 2026. This ranks 379 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year CITROEN XSARA is most reliable?

The 2010 CITROEN XSARA has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 66%.

CITROEN XSARA (2003)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 CITROEN XSARA?

The average mileage for a 2003 CITROEN XSARA is 117,235 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,664 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1749cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1749cc23 years old3,664 tests117k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1749cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1749cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/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

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 23 years old, 66% of CITROEN XSARAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,664 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 117,235 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars379th of 445(top 85%)

Rank among CITROEN models544th of 599(top 91%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average-6%(72% avg)

vs CITROEN average-13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

117,235

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 CITROEN XSARA has 117,235 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 72% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2003 sits between the two at 66%.

CITROEN XSARA by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+5%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+5%

FORD FIESTA

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

+5%

TOYOTA YARIS

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

+7%

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About the 2003 CITROEN XSARA

The 2003 CITROEN XSARA is a family car with a 1749cc petrol engine. 3,664 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 85% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 117,235 miles at 23 years old, CITROEN XSARA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 CITROEN XSARA Fuel Costs

The 1749cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 CITROEN XSARA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% 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 2003 CITROEN XSARA

At 23 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 2003 CITROEN XSARA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 117k 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 66% 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 2003 CITROEN XSARA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
CITROEN XSARA(2003)	66%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
FORD FIESTA(2003)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£675
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£675

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.