CITROEN SAXO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 899 MOT tests from 49 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every CITROEN SAXO has the same fault.

CITROEN SAXO's have a average reliability rating of 469/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN SAXO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the CITROEN SAXO.

CITROEN SAXO (example)

Check a Citroen Saxo before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	539/999Above average	82,920 miles	1,505 vehicles
N/A	N/A	505/999Above average	82,023 miles	2,946 vehicles
N/A	N/A	471/999Average	82,011 miles	506 vehicles
N/A	N/A	455/999Average	76,236 miles	12,627 vehicles
N/A	N/A	427/999Average	85,561 miles	4,867 vehicles
N/A	N/A	419/999Average	101,859 miles	1,838 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN SAXO?

Based on 899 MOT tests from 49 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

899

Pass rate

71.4%

Median mileage

71,685 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN SAXO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 519 out of 999.

Common CITROEN SAXO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 106 advisory comments and 11 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 28 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (7.3.D.3)

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 21 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 19 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 14 advisory comments and 5 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST HAS A MINOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (7.1.2)

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 17 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCESSIVE (7.3.D.3)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

CITROEN SAXO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2003	5	134	70.1%	Tyre wear, Indicator faults
2002	11	298	72.5%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2001	5	127	75.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2000	8	153	68.6%	Exhaust, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used CITROEN SAXO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a CITROEN SAXO?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN SAXOs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

Browse Other CITROEN Models

← Back to Reliability Check