2002 Citroen Saxo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Citroen Saxo passed 69.7% of its 8,079 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.4%, so the 2002 Saxo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 745 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.2% versus 20.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 1,504 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 1,051 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 949 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.7% | 703 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 691 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.0% | 568 |
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 | 745 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 604 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 497 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 462 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 449 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 446 |
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 | 26.4% | 2,131 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.5% | 2,057 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.0% | 1,534 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 1,430 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.8% | 1,355 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.7% | 1,028 |
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 | 488 | 20.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,333 | 27.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,726 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,793 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 549 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 174 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,972 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 107 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,486 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 1,897 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 1,528 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 1,227 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 941 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Saxo
On a 2002 Saxo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.0% 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 (11.8% 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 2002 Citroen Saxos pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 8,079 2002 Citroen Saxo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Citroen Saxo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 2002 Saxo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,079 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.