What are the most common problems with a Citroen Saxo?

At MOT, brakes pulling to one side and steering rack are flagged more often than on other cars the same age.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used Citroen Saxo?

Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide · 1996–2004

Citroen Saxo common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Citroen Saxo, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,778 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

2,778MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model

14,130on the UK register

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

What usually goes wrong with a Citroen Saxo?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Citroen Saxo in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Citroen Saxo MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

Brakes pulling to one side
up to 3.6× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

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 rack
up to 3.1× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

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.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 2.6× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

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.

Citroen Saxo MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	MOT tests
2003	55%	59% -4	664
2002	55%	60% -5	727
2001	58%	61% -3	769
2000	54%	63% -9	378 (small sample)
1999	57%	65% -8	135 (small sample)
1997	65%	67% -2	105 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Citroen Saxo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Citroen Saxo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score