Citroen Saxo (2002)
2002 Citroen Saxo
CarHunch analysed 27,901 real MOT records for the 2002 Citroen Saxo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Citroen Saxo is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 67.9% against the national benchmark of 80%. More concerning, nearly one in three of these cars (31%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious red flag for any prospective buyer.
At 61,000 miles on average, these Saxos show typical mileage for their age, but they're accumulating problems: owners can expect around 4.6 failures and 12.4 advisories per MOT test. Before purchasing, insist on a full history check and have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, steering, and suspension carefully—these are where dangerous defects typically hide on ageing Saxos.
What to check before buying a 2002 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.
- ⚠️ 31% 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 27,382 | 67.9% | 4.6 |
| Diesel (2%) | 514 | 68.5% | 4.53 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 63% | 6 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 77.8% | 2 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 55% | 9 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 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 2002 Citroen Saxo vehicles fall between 45,706 and 74,092 miles.
2002 Citroen Saxo — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 887 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 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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68.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.9%
Oil leak
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39.6%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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32.9%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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29.1%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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28.8%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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27.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. 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.