Citroen Xsara (2002)
2002 Citroen Xsara
CarHunch analysed 57,924 real MOT records for the 2002 Citroen Xsara. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Citroën Xsara passes its MOT first time in only 70.2% of cases, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 28% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—a genuine safety concern for any buyer. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 71% pass rate versus 69.2% for diesels, but neither fuel type offers meaningful reassurance.
At an average mileage of 84,310, these 22-year-old cars show typical wear for their age, but the real issue emerges in what fails: averaging 4.6 failures and nearly 16 advisories per test suggests chronic problems with electrics, suspension, and exhaust systems rather than one-off issues. Before committing to any 2002 Xsara, have an independent mechanic inspect the braking system, suspension geometry, and electrical connections—this generation simply doesn't age gracefully without proper maintenance history.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 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.
- ⚠️ 27.9% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (55%) | 31,598 | 71% | 4.4 |
| Diesel (45%) | 26,299 | 69.2% | 4.86 |
| LPG (0%) | 24 | 68.5% | 4.58 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 61.5% | 5 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 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.
Half of all 2002 Citroen Xsara vehicles fall between 58,357 and 86,535 miles.
2002 Citroen Xsara — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,463 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Citroen Xsara
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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79.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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76.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.1%
Oil leak
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44.8%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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39.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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35.4%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. 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.