Citroen Saxo (1998)
1998 Citroen Saxo
CarHunch analysed 32,364 real MOT records for the 1998 Citroen Saxo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Saxo passes its MOT first time in only 63% of cases—a sharp 17 percentage points below the UK average—and a concerning 27% have recorded dangerous defects during their lives. This is a car that demands serious mechanical scrutiny before purchase, and fuel type makes almost no difference to these poor odds (petrol 63.1%, diesel 64.5%).
At 76,000 miles median mileage, these Saxos are actually reasonably run-in for their age, yet they're still averaging 3.2 failures and 7.5 advisories per test. If you're considering one, budget for immediate repairs on brakes, suspension, and exhaust work—and plan a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, not a dealer check alone.
What to check before buying a 1998 Citroen Saxo
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 27.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Citroen Saxo
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (93%) | 30,197 | 63.1% | 3.19 |
| Diesel (7%) | 2,162 | 64.5% | 3.18 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 63.9% | 2.67 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Steam (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Citroen Saxo vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Citroen Saxo vehicles fall between 61,281 and 91,151 miles.
1998 Citroen Saxo — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 193 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Citroen Saxo
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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67.2%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
-
50.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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48.9%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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47.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.9%
Oil leak
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32.8%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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26.1%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen Saxo?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.