Citroen Xsara (2000)

27,949 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.7% first-time pass rate

2000 Citroen Xsara

CarHunch analysed 27,949 real MOT records for the 2000 Citroen Xsara. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2000 Citroën Xsara is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 67.7% against the national 80%—a genuine red flag. One in four of these cars (25.2%) has suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable for a buyer considering this model.

These are older cars with modest mileage for their age (median 79,147 miles), yet they're racking up nearly 4 failures and 12 advisories per MOT cycle on average, suggesting aging components and wear accumulation rather than abuse. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the electrical and hydraulic systems, since this model's pattern of high advisory counts points to persistent niggling issues rather than one catastrophic problem.

Below average reliability 12.3% below UK average
67.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
79,147
typical mileage
63,908–95,766 middle half
25.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.94
avg MOT failures per car
over 11.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2000 Citroen Xsara

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 25.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Citroen Xsara

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (77%) 21,390 67.6% 3.94
Diesel (23%) 6,552 68% 3.94
LPG (0%) 6 75.9% 4
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2000 Citroen Xsara vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

63,908
low mileage
79,147
typical
95,766
high mileage

Half of all 2000 Citroen Xsara vehicles fall between 63,908 and 95,766 miles.

2000 Citroen Xsara — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 575 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).

10,103 575 2014 2021

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.

MOT History Averages

11.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.94
Avg failures per vehicle
12.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2000 Citroen Xsara

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 58.8%
    Oil leak
  • 51.2%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 48.8%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 35.4%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 31%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 30.3%
    Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
  • 29%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 27.3%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2000. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Citroen Xsara?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Citroen Xsara:

1997 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010