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Citroen Saxo reliability by build year

Coverage 1996-20042 named generationsHatchbackPETROL

We've only got 1,035 MOT tests for Citroen Saxos built around 2002 (23 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Citroen Saxo built around 2002: about average at the MOT

Citroen Saxos built around 2002 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Citroen Saxo by number plate

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Citroen Saxos built around 2002 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen Saxos built around 2002 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen Saxo's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Saxo's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Saxo Mk2 (S2)

Mk2 (S2) (1999-2004)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

32.9% fail rate, built around 2002 (23 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.1%)

From 1,035 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Citroen Saxo.

See every build year for the Citroen Saxo

By age

Citroen Saxo fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen Saxo ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
34534.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
99833.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,03532.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
77431.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
68632.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 23-year-old Citroen Saxos

These issues come from 23-year-old Citroen Saxos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    22.1%
    Advisory: 235Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    18.2%
    Advisory: 264Fail: 21 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.8%
    Advisory: 213Fail: 1 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    14.1%
    Advisory: 172Fail: 22 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    13.8%
    Advisory: 128Fail: 32 (20% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,035 MOT tests on 23-year-old Citroen Saxos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 23-year-old Citroen Saxos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension27%
  2. Brakes + Tyres24%
  3. Brakes + Other22%
  4. Brakes + Lighting22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 635 MOT tests on Citroen Saxo cars built around 2002 (23 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Citroen Saxo.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 Citroen Saxo recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Parking brake efficiency may be reduced
  • Possibility of loss of brake servo assistance
  • Possible disengagement of driving seat catch

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Corolla

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    6.6%

    Lower fail rate: 29.1%, against 32.9% for the Citroen Saxo, both built around 2002.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,048 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  2. 2

    Audi A3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92%

    Lower fail rate: 28.3%, against 32.9% for the Citroen Saxo, both built around 2002.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,127 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  3. 3

    Skoda Fabia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 6.8%, against 12.4% for the Citroen Saxo.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,726 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  4. 4

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Citroen Saxo on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,966 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2002 (23 years old), the Citroen Saxo across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,035 23-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen Saxo ever sold: 3,838 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2002 (23 years old): 1,035 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.