2008 Citroen Xsara 1.6L Diesel · FP08 AAE

The Citroen Xsara shows a history of progressive structural corrosion and recurring mechanical wear that requires close attention. The last recorded MOT was conducted in March 2022 at 117,054 miles, meaning the vehicle has lacked an official inspection for over four years. In that final test, the tester identified corrosion on the front sub-frame and the rear vehicle structure. While these were not classified as seriously weakened at the time, the presence of rust across multiple sub-frames and body sills suggests an ongoing process of degradation that has likely accelerated given the significant lapse in time since the last check. The vehicle has covered 117,054 miles over 18 years, averaging approximately 6,500 miles per year. This low annual mileage is typical for a car of this age, but the record indicates a pattern of reactive rather than preventative maintenance. Between March 2019 and 2020, the car failed multiple tests due to significant issues including a fractured coil spring, a leaking rear hydraulic brake cylinder, and excessive exhaust emissions. The recurring mention of tyres worn to the legal limit or failing across several years suggests that basic consumable upkeep was only addressed when it became a failure point. The braking system shows a long history of instability, with brake hoses exhibiting corrosion at the ferrule noted in almost every test from 2019 through 2022. Suspension components have also seen frequent failures, including worn drop-links, damaged ball joints, and a deteriorated CV boot. Because the vehicle has not been tested since 2022, there is no guarantee regarding the current integrity of the structural components or the condition of the brake lines. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the sub-frames and lower sills to ensure the corrosion noted years ago has not progressed to a point of structural failure.