2009 Citroen Xsara 1.6L Petrol · FL59 YSS

The most recent MOT on 18 July 2024 was a pass, but it recorded a long list of defects – oil leak, rear‑tyre nail, steering rack play, corroded brake pipe, power‑steering seepage, noisy front top‑mount bearing and worn front tyre. The day before, the same mileage test failed for many of the same items plus an ABS warning lamp, thin front brake pads and a split CV boot. These problems form a clear pattern: persistent oil leakage, corrosion on the brake pipe, steering‑rack looseness, power‑steering fluid loss and noisy front suspension bearings. Over the last three years the number of recorded faults has risen from a clean pass in 2022 to multiple failures in 2023 and 2024, indicating a worsening condition rather than a stabilising one. At 123,146 mi the car averages about 7,200 mi per year, which is typical for a 2009 model. The mileage does not point to extreme abuse, but it also does not rule out periods of heavy wear on consumables such as brakes, suspension joints and tyres. The age‑matched mileage suggests average use, with the current wear likely coming from the identified component failures rather than high overall mileage. A buyer should first check for any active oil leaks and assess the condition of the brake pipe for rust or grease buildup. Inspect the steering rack for play and the power‑steering system for fluid seepage. Examine the front strut top‑mount bearing for noise and the front tyre for side‑wall damage and tread depth.