2010 Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 52.3% of Citroen Xsaras first used in 2010 passed their MOT first time, against 59.3% for all cars first used in 2010. Across 3,502 Xsara first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Citroen Xsaras first used in 2010 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2010 Citroen Xsara MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Xsaras first used in 2010 against all cars first used in 2010 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Xsara figure was 7.0 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2010 Xsara | All cars first used 2010 | Xsara first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59.2% | 62.6% | 1,618 |
| 2022 | 57.4% | 61.7% | 1,492 |
| 2023 | 54.0% | 60.5% | 1,329 |
| 2024 | 54.4% | 59.6% | 1,185 |
| 2025 | 52.3% | 59.3% | 988 |
Common 2010 Citroen Xsara MOT failures
Share of the 1,623 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp: not working | 16.4% | 266 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 13.9% | 225 |
| Position lamp: not working | 13.7% | 222 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | 12.4% | 202 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 8.8% | 143 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2010 Citroen Xsara before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2010 Citroen Xsara MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2010 Xsaras, as a share of all 3,502 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.1% | 705 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.3% | 467 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 7.2% | 253 |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 6.9% | 240 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 6.3% | 221 |
Questions about the 2010 Citroen Xsara MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2010 Citroen Xsara?
In 2025, 52.3% of Xsaras first used in 2010 passed their MOT first time, against 59.3% for all cars first used in 2010. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2010 Xsara most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 51.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (34.7%) and body, chassis and structure (28.3%). The single most common item was “Stop lamp: not working” (16.4%).
How often does a 2010 Citroen Xsara fail its MOT?
In 2025, 47.7% of first tests on Xsaras first used in 2010 did not pass first time: 39.1% failed, and a further 8.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,623 of 3,502 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2010 Citroen Xsara MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.3%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (7.2%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (6.9%) and “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (6.3%).
Is a 2010 Citroen Xsara reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 59.2% in 2021 to 52.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2010
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2010 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2010 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2010 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2010 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2010 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2010 Xsara?
The numbers above cover every Xsara first used in 2010 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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