Small car · 1996–2004 cars
Citroën Saxo reliability
The Citroën Saxo fails 46.3% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 14,135 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën Saxo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 46.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 23% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 14,135
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën Saxo ages
Each point is the share of Citroën Saxos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën Saxo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 48.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 46.3% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 46.3% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 47.5% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 45.2% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 46.9% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 45.9% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 40% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën Saxo years
2003 cars come out best and 2000 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 235 | 43.8% | 14% more fails | 71,832 |
| 2003 Saxo | 3,058 | 45.2% | 16% more fails | 71,547 |
| 2002 Saxo | 3,675 | 47.1% | 22% more fails | 71,970 |
| 2001 Saxo | 3,678 | 47.1% | 24% more fails | 73,225 |
| 2000 Saxo | 2,003 | 47.8% | 32% more fails | 68,843 |
| 1999 | 764 | 45.2% | 35% more fails | 60,713 |
| 1998 | 475 | 38.1% | 15% more fails | 70,280 |
| 1997 | 234 | 44.9% | 34% more fails | 65,319 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën Saxo
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 114% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.7%26% above avg
- Brakes16.5%46% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure15.3%92% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks13.2%114% above avg
- Suspension12.4%4% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.2%28% above avg
- Steering6.2%112% above avg
- Tyres5.6%8% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.2%21% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.21% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.19% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 3
Position lamp not working 5.03% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 5% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Service brakes uneven across an axle 4.97% of tests
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 6
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.63% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 7
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed 4.62% of tests
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
- 8
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.15% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën Saxo's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive13.91%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking13.48%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.48%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.73%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy8.31%
- Number plate lettering deteriorating7.29%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën Saxo
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol97.3%
- Diesel2.7%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Red, Green, Black
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën Saxo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Fit | 11.6% | 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover Mini | 29.1% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 25 | 39.7% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Qubo | 34.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 106 | 44.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Saxo | 46.3% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Grand Modus | 47.8% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Citroën models.
Questions
Citroën Saxo questions, answered
Is the Citroën Saxo reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën Saxo is below average: it fails 46.3% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 41 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën Saxo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën Saxo are cv joint boot split or insecure (5.21% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.19% of tests), position lamp not working (5.03% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 21.7% of its tests.
Which Citroën Saxo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2003 cars do best (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2000 cars do worst (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Citroën Saxo before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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