Car statistics
How many Citroën Xsaras are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 19,659 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 15,355 Citroën Xsaras licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 15,156 declared off the road (SORN). That is 95.2% fewer than the peak of 322,929 in 2008.
Numbers peaked in 2008 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1,824 |
| 1998 | 17,851 |
| 1999 | 36,032 |
| 2000 | 64,098 |
| 2001 | 125,241 |
| 2002 | 181,321 |
| 2003 | 218,262 |
| 2004 | 256,811 |
| 2005 | 285,341 |
| 2006 | 309,657 |
| 2007 | 320,974 |
| 2008 | 322,929 |
| 2009 | 319,120 |
| 2010 | 309,641 |
| 2011 | 293,669 |
| 2012 | 275,962 |
| 2013 | 253,158 |
| 2014 | 225,787 |
| 2015 | 197,165 |
| 2016 | 167,452 |
| 2017 | 135,148 |
| 2018 | 106,416 |
| 2019 | 82,778 |
| 2020 | 65,121 |
| 2021 | 49,292 |
| 2022 | 38,773 |
| 2023 | 30,026 |
| 2024 | 22,505 |
| 2025 | 16,719 |
| 2026 | 15,355 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 51.2% of Citroën Xsara MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Citroën Xsaras tested pass 59.1% of the time, so the Citroën Xsara does worse than average for its age, by 7.9 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 50.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Citroën Xsara | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 15–19 years | 51.2% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 51.1% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Citroën Xsara fails its MOT, appearing on 52.0% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 10.1% of Citroën Xsara tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 52.0% |
| Suspension | 36.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 29.4% |
| Brakes | 20.5% |
| Tyres | 16.1% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 15.5% |
| Steering | 12.6% |
| Visibility | 12.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Citroën Xsara failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 14.7% of 9,600 failed tests. 71.7% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.7% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.1% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 12.3% |
| Seat belts: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 11.8% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.8% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.9% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 6.8% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.4% |
| Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Body, chassis, structure | 6.3% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 22.4% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 14.1% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.6% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 11.6% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 9.2% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 7.0% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 5.4% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Non-component advisories | 5.1% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 4.7% |
| Linkage ball joint has slight play Suspension | 4.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
10 years of the Citroën Xsara, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2009 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (53.8% passed first time) and the 2001 cars worst (51.1%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | – | 3,010 | 51.1% |
| 2002 | – | 3,477 | 52.5% |
| 2003 | – | 3,240 | 51.8% |
| 2004 | – | 3,899 | 50.8% |
| 2005 | – | 3,642 | 50.2% |
| 2006 | – | 4,778 | 51.8% |
| 2007 | – | 4,133 | 49.7% |
| 2008 | – | 2,241 | 50.2% |
| 2009 | – | 1,951 | 53.8% |
| 2010 | – | 1,016 | 52.1% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Citroën Xsara covers 4,636 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 15–19 years | 4,946 |
| 20+ years | 4,111 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Citroën Xsaras for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 63,950 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 63,950 |
| ’02 | 58,709 |
| ’03 | 42,220 |
| ’04 | 40,167 |
| ’05 | 30,699 |
| ’06 | 28,452 |
| ’07 | 18,847 |
| ’08 | 8,347 |
| ’09 | 4,534 |
| ’10 | 2,000 |
| ’11 | 17 |
| ’12 | 17 |
| ’13 | 16 |
| ’14 | 5 |
| ’15 | 11 |
| ’16 | 4 |
| ’17 | 4 |
| ’18 | 6 |
| ’19 | 3 |
| ’20 | 2 |
| ’21 | 2 |
| ’22 | 2 |
| ’23 | 0 |
| ’24 | 1 |
| ’25 | 0 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 17,173 Citroën Xsaras licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 73.3% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc, and 21.2% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc. The share with an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc has grown from 51.5% in 2014 to 73.3%. Petrols made up 53.7% of those licensed in 2014 and 59.9% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 12,591 licensed | 73.3% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 3,641 licensed | 21.2% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 553 licensed | 3.2% |
| 1,301cc to 1,400cc 379 licensed | 2.2% |
| Other sizes 9 licensed | 0.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 8,178 | 47.6% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Diesel | 4,409 | 25.7% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 2,459 | 14.3% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 1,181 | 6.9% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 553 | 3.2% |
| 1,301–1,400cc | Petrol | 371 | 2.2% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,501–1,600cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,701–1,800cc | 1,301–1,400cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 51.5% | 33.3% | 9.6% | 5.4% |
| 2015 | 53.4% | 33.0% | 8.8% | 4.6% |
| 2016 | 55.8% | 32.3% | 7.8% | 3.9% |
| 2017 | 58.8% | 31.0% | 6.8% | 3.3% |
| 2018 | 61.9% | 29.2% | 5.9% | 2.8% |
| 2019 | 64.5% | 27.7% | 5.2% | 2.6% |
| 2020 | 66.8% | 26.1% | 4.6% | 2.4% |
| 2021 | 69.0% | 24.6% | 4.1% | 2.3% |
| 2022 | 70.5% | 23.4% | 3.9% | 2.2% |
| 2023 | 71.5% | 22.6% | 3.7% | 2.2% |
| 2024 | 72.5% | 21.7% | 3.5% | 2.2% |
| 2025 | 73.3% | 21.2% | 3.2% | 2.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 53.7% | 46.2% |
| 2015 | 53.1% | 46.9% |
| 2016 | 52.4% | 47.5% |
| 2017 | 52.4% | 47.6% |
| 2018 | 52.8% | 47.1% |
| 2019 | 53.3% | 46.6% |
| 2020 | 54.2% | 45.7% |
| 2021 | 55.1% | 44.8% |
| 2022 | 56.2% | 43.7% |
| 2023 | 57.7% | 42.2% |
| 2024 | 59.2% | 40.7% |
| 2025 | 59.9% | 40.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Citroën Xsara from 2000, when the data begins, to 2010. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2010), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 30.1 to 62.8 mpg, with CO2 of 120 to 224 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 petrol | 40.9–42.2 | 159–170 | 2000–2004 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 2 |
| 1.6 petrol | 36.2–40.9 | 160–187 | 2000–2010 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 17 |
| 1.7 petrol | 36.7 | 184–187 | 2000–2005 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 4 |
| 1.8 petrol | 33.2–34.0 | 198 | 2000–2001 | Euro 2 | 3 |
| 2.0 petrol | 30.1–36.7 | 184–224 | 2000–2008 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 6 |
| 1.4 diesel | 62.8 | 120 | 2003–2004 | Euro 3 | 1 |
| 1.6 diesel | 55.4–57.6 | 130–136 | 2004–2010 | Euro 3 to Euro 4 | 4 |
| 1.9 diesel | 45.6 | 164 | 2000–2001 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 2 |
| 2.0 diesel | 47.9–54.3 | 138–156 | 2000–2005 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 14 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 8 safety recalls for the Citroën Xsara since 1992, the first in 2000. The most recent was launched on 9 October 2009.
All 8 Citroën Xsara recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Citroën Xsara. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroën Xsara | 15,355 | −25.8% | 15,156 | 283 | Petrol |
| Citroën C3 | 250,311 | −1.3% | 13,474 | 28 | Petrol |
| Citroën C4 | 171,933 | −5.9% | 13,112 | 47 | Diesel |
| Citroën C1 | 151,025 | −4.4% | 6,490 | 56 | Petrol |
| Citroën DS3 | 60,578 | −7.5% | 3,817 | 128 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 30,511 Xsara records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 19,659 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
