CarCostCheck

CITROEN XSARA PICASSO (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 76 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1587cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1587cc22 years old76 tests123k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1587cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1587cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,157
Per month£180/mo
Per week£41/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 22 years old, 67% of CITROEN XSARA PICASSOs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 76 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,049 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars414th of 491(top 84%)
Rank among CITROEN models537th of 599(top 90%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-5%(72% avg)
vs CITROEN average-12%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,049

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO has 123,049 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-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 2006 model with a 68% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 61%. The 2004 sits between the two at 67%.

CITROEN XSARA PICASSO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201076%3884,696 mi
200965%9285,917 mi
200866%80107,294 mi
200761%11598,234 mi
200668%15495,172 mi
200565%80107,567 mi
200467%76123,049 mi
200255%33117,801 mi

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About the 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO

The 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO is a small family car with a 1587cc petrol engine. 76 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 84% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 123,049 miles at 22 years old, CITROEN XSARA PICASSO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO Fuel Costs

The 1587cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 180/month), broken down as £1137 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 PICASSO Reliability Trend

The CITROEN XSARA PICASSO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO

At 22 years old, the CITROEN XSARA PICASSO 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 68%. Note: with only 76 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 123k 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 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 2004 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN XSARA PICASSO(2004)67%£1137£265Grp 12-25£2157
FORD FOCUS(2006)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£290
HONDA JAZZ(2006)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£435

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.

Related Citroen Models

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