Citroen Xsara Picasso Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Citroen Xsara Picasso car check
Is the Citroen Xsara Picasso reliable? We analysed 11,608 real MOT tests across 657 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Citroen Xsara Picasso? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Citroen Xsara Picasso is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, stop lamp not working and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen Xsara Picasso.
Citroen Xsara Picasso Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Citroen Xsara Picasso. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Citroen Xsara Picasso to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Citroen Xsara Picasso Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Citroen Xsara Picasso fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Citroen Xsara Picasso Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Citroen Xsara Picasso models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Citroen Xsara Picasso Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Citroen Xsara Picasso owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen Xsara Picasso year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 396 | 75.0% | 37,800 | 58,506 | 80,634 |
| 2009 | 875 | 73.3% | 35,363 | 58,130 | 86,067 |
| 2008 | 1,220 | 71.9% | 43,297 | 66,740 | 93,448 |
| 2007 | 1,766 | 72.6% | 44,268 | 68,748 | 95,646 |
| 2006 | 2,245 | 73.9% | 39,520 | 62,562 | 88,495 |
| 2005 | 1,709 | 70.3% | 44,184 | 68,821 | 96,661 |
| 2004 | 1,497 | 69.7% | 51,518 | 76,350 | 106,612 |
| 2003 | 832 | 70.9% | 44,244 | 74,257 | 105,570 |
| 2002 | 647 | 66.8% | 49,701 | 75,337 | 117,095 |
| 2001 | 353 | 68.6% | 55,172 | 81,022 | 115,644 |
How Long Does a Citroen Xsara Picasso Last?
Based on 657 Citroen Xsara Picasso vehicles on UK roads.
Citroen Xsara Picasso Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Citroen Xsara Picasso MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Citroen Xsara Picasso
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
75.0% MOT pass rate from 396 tests
66.8% MOT pass rate from 647 tests
The best year to buy a used Citroen Xsara Picasso is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.0% across 396 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Citroen Xsara Picasso Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen Xsara Picasso THIS CAR | 71.6% | 11,608 | 68,320 mi | 25 yrs |
| Citroen Xsara | 69.1% | 5,047,330 | 77,497 mi | 28 yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo | 70.1% | 4,453,235 | 83,738 mi | 29 yrs |
| Citroen C3 | 72.7% | 4,435,918 | 53,913 mi | 24 yrs |
| Volkswagen Caravan | 66.6% | 3,825 | 65,301 mi | 59 yrs |
Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen Xsara Picasso outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Citroen Xsara Picasso you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Citroen Xsara PicassoShould you buy a used Citroen Xsara Picasso?
The Citroen Xsara Picasso has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.6% across 11,608 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Citroen Xsara Picasso are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (157 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (116), and registration plate lamp not working (108). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Citroen Xsara Picasso with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Citroen Xsara Picasso owner drives around 5,032 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Citroen Xsara Picasso models stay on UK roads for around 25 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.