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 10,876 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

10,876MOTs done in 2023–2025, 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).

200420032002200120001999199819971996

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 2023–2025.

  • Steering rack

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 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.

  • Horn

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2001.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Citroen Saxo MOT pass rate by year

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

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200458%57% +1179 (small sample)
200355%57% -22,449
200254%58% -42,847
200156%60% -42,818
200053%61% -81,471
199954%63% -9447 (small sample)
199860%65% -5321 (small sample)
199755%65% -10344 (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.

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Citroen Saxo as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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 2023–2025, 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