2008 Citroen Xsara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,774 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Citroen Xsara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.8% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.4% in the 150k+ group versus 20.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 4,221 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 3,291 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 2,610 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.0% | 1,363 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 1,353 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 1,343 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,744 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 1,677 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,476 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,440 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,193 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,192 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 31.1% | 7,080 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.5% | 5,115 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.5% | 4,443 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 3,852 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 3,302 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 3,065 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 255 | 20.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,131 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,996 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 7,846 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 3,903 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,546 | 35.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,667 | 30.8% |
| Petrol | 11,107 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,430 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 5,417 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 4,551 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 3,645 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 2,731 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Xsara
Before buying a 2008 Citroen Xsara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Citroen Xsaras pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 22,774 2008 Citroen Xsara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen Xsara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2008 Xsara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,774 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.