2001 Citroen Saxo — MOT failures & pass rate
7,935 MOT tests on the 2001 Citroen Saxo are in this dataset, and 70.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests against 12.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 677 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.4% in the 0-30k band and 30.9% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 26.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.4% in 2021 to 28.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 1,377 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 1,001 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 887 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.1% | 725 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 704 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.4% | 589 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 677 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 620 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 594 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 442 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 438 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 431 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 26.7% | 2,117 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.8% | 2,049 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.3% | 1,772 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 1,653 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 1,368 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 1,047 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 402 | 21.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,265 | 25.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,818 | 32.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,714 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 577 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 126 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,700 | 29.6% |
| Diesel | 235 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,401 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 1,924 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 1,470 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 1,172 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 968 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Saxo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Citroen Saxos pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 7,935 2001 Citroen Saxo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Citroen Saxo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by brakes (12.6%).
Does the 2001 Saxo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,935 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.