Citroen Zx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Citroen Zx car check
Is the Citroen Zx reliable? We analysed 468,577 real MOT tests across 82,336 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Citroen Zx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Citroen Zx is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen Zx.
Citroen Zx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Citroen Zx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Citroen Zx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Citroen Zx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Citroen Zx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Citroen Zx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Citroen Zx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Citroen Zx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Citroen Zx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen Zx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 50 | 60.0% | 77,750 | 90,823 | 131,702 |
| 1999 | 86 | 64.0% | 63,565 | 83,816 | 107,398 |
| 1998 | 11,521 | 64.9% | 67,140 | 90,022 | 117,462 |
| 1997 | 92,053 | 65.3% | 71,607 | 94,691 | 122,232 |
| 1996 | 86,722 | 64.3% | 78,182 | 101,447 | 128,500 |
| 1995 | 94,655 | 62.9% | 84,401 | 109,266 | 136,159 |
| 1994 | 77,034 | 61.8% | 87,740 | 112,688 | 139,198 |
| 1993 | 63,166 | 62.2% | 87,613 | 113,026 | 139,962 |
| 1992 | 36,835 | 61.8% | 86,409 | 112,724 | 140,224 |
| 1991 | 6,190 | 61.7% | 79,318 | 99,603 | 122,991 |
| 1971 | 92 | 64.1% | 110,017 | 125,018 | 143,487 |
How Long Does a Citroen Zx Last?
Based on 82,336 Citroen Zx vehicles on UK roads.
Citroen Zx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Citroen Zx 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 Zx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
65.3% MOT pass rate from 92,053 tests
60.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Citroen Zx is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.3% across 92,053 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Citroen Zx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen Zx THIS CAR | 63.3% | 468,577 | 105,646 mi | 35 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 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 76.3% | 382,912 | 65,400 mi | 30 yrs |
Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen Zx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Citroen Zx 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 ZxShould you buy a used Citroen Zx?
The Citroen Zx has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.3% across 468,577 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Citroen Zx are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (31,666 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (29,097), and parking brake recording little or no effort (19,976). 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.
A typical Citroen Zx owner drives around 5,315 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 Zx models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.