Verdict
The Citroën Saxo passes its MOT first time on 49.2% of tests, 8.6 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (57.8%). That puts it ahead of 18% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2003 Saxo does best (beats 23% of cars) and the 1999 worst (beats 4%).
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol | 47.7% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.6 Petrol | 54.0% | Beats 46% | C |
| 1.4 Petrol | 51.9% | Beats 20% | E |
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 3.0× typical
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems. - Exhaust system 2.1× typical
Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath. - Brake lights 1.6× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid. - Windscreen washers 1.5× typical
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail. - Brake performance 1.7× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal. - Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust emissions (catalyst) | 8.3% | 2.8% | 3.0× |
| Brake lights | 6.6% | 4.1% | 1.6× |
| Sidelights | 6.0% | 4.1% | 1.5× |
| Drive shaft (CV) joints | 5.9% | 2.7% | 2.2× |
| Exhaust system | 5.5% | 2.6% | 2.1× |
| Service brake imbalance | 5.2% | 1.3% | 3.9× |
| Component mounting prescribed areas | 5.2% | 2.9% | 1.8× |
| Steering rack | 5.1% | 0.6% | 8.4× |
| Headlight aim | 5.1% | 5.1% | 1.0× |
| Windscreen washers | 4.6% | 3.1% | 1.5× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 60.1 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 59.4 |
| Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 59.0 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 54.8 |
| Exhaust system leaking or insecure | 52.3 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 52.0 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 51.1 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 49.0 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
2003 Citroën Saxo2 engines50.3% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol | 49.0% | Beats 16% | E |
| 1.6 Petrol | 54.7% | Beats 51% | C |
2002 Citroën Saxo3 engines49.0% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol | 48.2% | Beats 16% | E |
| 1.6 Petrol | 51.6% | Beats 38% | D |
| 1.4 Petrol | 51.5% | Beats 24% | D |
2001 Citroën Saxo3 engines49.1% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol | 47.2% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.6 Petrol | 55.8% | Beats 54% | C |
| 1.4 Petrol | 52.6% | Beats 23% | D |
2000 Citroën Saxo3 engines48.9% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol | 46.9% | Beats 10% | E |
| 1.4 Petrol | 51.3% | Beats 15% | E |
| 1.6 Petrol | 54.6% | Beats 37% | D |
1999 Citroën Saxo1 engine42.8% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol | 42.8% | Beats 4% | E |
FAQ
What is the Citroën Saxo MOT pass rate?
49.2% of MOT tests on the Citroën Saxo were passed first time, based on 55,536 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2003. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 57.8% of the time.
Is the Citroën Saxo reliable?
On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 18% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Citroën Saxo year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2003 Saxo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 23% of cars on UK roads. The 1999 does worst: it beats 4%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Citroën Saxo?
The most common failure items are exhaust emissions (catalyst), brake lights, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, exhaust emissions (catalyst) comes up 3.0× as often.