Used car guide

2002 Citroen Saxo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Citroen Saxos, from 727 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

727MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,200typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Citroen Saxos than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.6× usual
    Citroen Saxo
    7.8% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.9% of all 2002 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.9× usual
    Citroen Saxo
    6.6% All 2002 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.7% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Steering rack3.1× usual
    Citroen Saxo
    5.8% All 2002 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Horn5.4× usual
    Citroen Saxo
    4.3% All 2002 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.6% here, against 10.4% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Citroen Saxo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    35% 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
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    30% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003664Brakes 33%
2001769Brakes 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Citroen Saxos registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score