CarCostCheck

CITROEN XSARA PICASSO (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 80 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1560cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel1560cc18 years old80 tests107k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1560cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1560cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,825
Per month£152/mo
Per week£35/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 18 years old, 66% of CITROEN XSARA PICASSOs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 80 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 107,294 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars548th of 589(top 93%)
Rank among CITROEN models554th of 599(top 92%)
vs national average-16%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average-7%(73% avg)
vs CITROEN average-13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

107,294

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO has 107,294 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2008 sits between the two at 66%.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO

The 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO is a small family car with a 1560cc diesel engine. 80 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 93% of 2008 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 107,294 miles at 18 years old, CITROEN XSARA PICASSO owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO Fuel Costs

The 1560cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 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 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 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 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 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO

At 18 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 80 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO'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

Watch out

With an average of 107k 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 2008 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN XSARA PICASSO(2008)66%£905£165Grp 12-25£1825
FORD FIESTA(2009)72%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)74%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£98
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2010)77%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£98

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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