Citroen Xsara (2003)
2003 Citroen Xsara
CarHunch analysed 41,994 real MOT records for the 2003 Citroen Xsara. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Citroën Xsara has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.7%, which is notably below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 3 in 10 of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 72.7% than their diesel counterparts at 70.6%, but neither approaches the national benchmark.
At an average mileage of just over 80,000 miles for a 21-year-old car, these Xsaras have been relatively well-used, yet they still generate an average of 4.73 failures and 17.7 advisories per test—a sign of systemic wear in suspension, braking, and emissions components. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with French cars of this era and budget for repairs; don't rely on the last MOT pass alone.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2003 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.
- ⚠️ 28.4% 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 (51%) | 21,599 | 72.7% | 4.51 |
| Diesel (49%) | 20,382 | 70.6% | 4.96 |
| LPG (0%) | 11 | 67.3% | 5.18 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 55.6% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 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 2003 Citroen Xsara vehicles fall between 54,339 and 82,120 miles.
2003 Citroen Xsara — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,756 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 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 2003. 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.