Does the Citroen Xsara fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Citroen Xsara records 32.09 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 30.00 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+2.09, 95% interval +1.90 to +2.29). It ranks 185 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Citroen Xsara by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Citroen Xsara is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 35,076 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 35,076 | 10.72 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 23,053 | 7.04 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 14,442 | 4.41 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 11,520 | 3.52 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 9,640 | 2.95 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 327,241 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Citroen Xsara gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
27.9% of Citroen Xsara MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,615 miles later (41,401 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 41,401 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Citroen Xsara 1998 · Citroen Xsara 1999 · Citroen Xsara 2000 · Citroen Xsara 2001 · Citroen Xsara 2002 · Citroen Xsara 2003 · Citroen Xsara 2004 · Citroen Xsara 2005 · Citroen Xsara 2006 · Citroen Xsara 2007 · Citroen Xsara 2008 · Citroen Xsara 2009 · Citroen Xsara 2010 · Citroen Xsara in Finland · Citroen Xsara in the Netherlands · Citroen Xsara by postcode area · Citroen Xsara body, chassis and structure failures · Citroen Xsara brakes failures · Citroen Xsara vehicle identification failures · Citroen Xsara lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Citroen Xsara noise, emissions and leaks failures · Citroen Xsara road wheels failures · Citroen Xsara seat belts and airbags failures · Citroen Xsara steering failures · Citroen Xsara tyres failures · Citroen Xsara visibility failures