2004 Citroen Saxo — MOT failures & pass rate
502 MOT tests on the 2004 Citroen Saxo are in this dataset, and 71.9% of them passed. That is 1.1 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 45 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.3% in the 0-30k band and 28.6% in the 90-120k band, a 4.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.3% in 2021 to 24.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 69 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 62 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 51 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.0% | 35 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 35 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.2% | 31 |
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 | 45 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 40 |
| 3 | Joints | 39 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 33 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
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 | 26.5% | 133 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.5% | 103 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 84 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 79 |
| 5 | Suspension | 14.7% | 74 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.8% | 49 |
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 | 70 | 24.3% |
| 30-60k | 146 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 215 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 56 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 152 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 125 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 95 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 73 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 57 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Saxo
On a 2004 Saxo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.3% 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+.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
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 2004 Citroen Saxos pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 502 2004 Citroen Saxo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Citroen Saxo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.3%).
Does the 2004 Saxo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 502 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.