2008 Citroen Xsara 1.6L Diesel · LR08 AEC

The Citroën XSara’s most recent MOT test on 2023-04-05 at 173,294 miles passed without any recorded defects, confirming it remains roadworthy for now. The preceding year’s history shows an unusual retest on 2022-04-07 at the same mileage (168,385), where it failed before passing the next day—though no defects were logged either time. This suggests either an administrative error or a brief oversight in test scheduling, but no mechanical issues were consistently identified. The lack of advisories or recurring faults in the last two tests implies the vehicle has not experienced persistent problems, though the absence of defects does not preclude hidden wear. The recorded mileage of 173,294 miles over 18 years averages roughly 9,600 miles annually, which is typical for a vehicle of this age. There are no significant gaps or spikes in the MOT history, though the retest in April 2022 is unusual. The most recent test occurred just over three years ago, which is within the standard three-year MOT cycle, but given the vehicle’s age and mileage, a thorough inspection of high-wear components would be prudent. The lack of intermediate servicing records means no external maintenance history is available to assess. Given the sparse MOT history, a buyer should prioritise a detailed inspection of the suspension—particularly the rear MacPherson struts and bushes, which are common wear points on this model—and the brake system, including rear caliper binding (a known issue on some XSaras). The lack of advisories does not rule out corrosion in wheel arches, sills, or subframe areas, especially given the vehicle’s age. Tyres, despite no MOT failures, should be checked for uneven wear or low tread depth, as the retest in 2022 could hint at a previous oversight. Structural rigidity, particularly around the rear axle and floorpan, should also be assessed for signs of rust or weakening.