Used car guide

2000 Citroen Saxo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Citroen Saxos, from 378 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 378 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

378MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
2,800typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Citroen Saxos than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.4× usual
    Citroen Saxo
    14.6% All 2000 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.6%, against 4.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

By area

The share of 2000 Citroen Saxo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    34% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    25% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003664Brakes 33%
2002727Brakes 35%
2001769Brakes 37%
1999135Suspension 41%
1997105Suspension 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Citroen Saxos registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score