Citroen Xsara (2004)
2004 Citroen Xsara
CarHunch analysed 39,557 real MOT records for the 2004 Citroen Xsara. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Citroën Xsara has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and this is compounded by the fact that 31% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern for any potential buyer. Petrol and diesel versions perform almost identically (71.9% and 70.1% pass rates respectively), so fuel type offers no reliability advantage.
These Xsaras are averaging nearly 20 years old with a median mileage of 84,367 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up an average of 4.9 failures and 18.1 advisories per test—the high advisory count suggests corrosion, wear, and cumulative deterioration are the real story here. Before committing to one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on brake condition, suspension integrity, and underframe rust, as these older Citroëns are prone to structural decay.
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 2004 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.
- ⚠️ 31% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (51%) | 20,182 | 70.1% | 5 |
| Petrol (49%) | 19,359 | 71.9% | 4.79 |
| LPG (0%) | 14 | 77.6% | 2.86 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 76.9% | 3 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 62.5% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 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 2004 Citroen Xsara vehicles fall between 68,248 and 103,425 miles.
2004 Citroen Xsara — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,851 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 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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75%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.5%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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45.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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30.5%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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25.8%
Offside Stop lamp not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. 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.