2003 Citroen Saxo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,596 MOT tests, the 2003 Citroen Saxo recorded a 70.4% pass rate. 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 16.6% of tests against 12.9% 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 547 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.5% versus 22.7%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.6% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 1,097 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 848 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 826 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.5% | 629 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 525 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.4% | 489 |
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 | 547 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 534 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 473 |
| 4 | Joints | 407 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 389 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 365 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.3% | 1,605 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.3% | 1,539 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.4% | 1,279 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 1,160 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 1,020 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.9% | 785 |
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 | 384 | 22.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,935 | 27.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,282 | 30.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,364 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 478 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,481 | 29.6% |
| Diesel | 115 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,909 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 1,546 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 1,242 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 1,060 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 839 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Saxo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.9% 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 (12.5% 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 2003 Citroen Saxos pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 6,596 2003 Citroen Saxo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen Saxo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by brakes (12.9%).
Does the 2003 Saxo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,596 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.