At a Glance
The Citroen Saxo has 60 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Saxo (1996-2003) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.7M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Citroen Saxo common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Citroen Saxo generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Citroen Saxo owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Most Common Citroen Saxo MOT Failures
Every reason Citroen Saxo vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.47% |
| 2 | Exhaust system fault | 6.45% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.29% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.31% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.59% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.59% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.41% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.41% |
| 9 | Suspension mounting corroded | 4.09% |
| 10 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.68% |
| 11 | Driveshaft fault | 3.68% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.63% |
| 13 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.45% |
| 14 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.25% |
| 15 | Front suspension joint worn | 2.50% |
| 16 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.05% |
| 17 | Chassis condition | 1.88% |
| 18 | Tyre condition | 1.81% |
| 19 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.70% |
| 20 | Front suspension fault | 1.60% |
| 21 | Fog lamp not working | 1.51% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 1.29% |
| 23 | Parking brake condition | 0.95% |
| 24 | Rear suspension fault | 0.95% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.93% |
| 26 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.81% |
| 27 | Track rod end worn | 0.77% |
| 28 | Indicator fault | 0.73% |
| 29 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.71% |
| 30 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.71% |
| 31 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.68% |
| 32 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.53% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.50% |
| 34 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.50% |
| 35 | Airbag warning light on | 0.49% |
| 36 | Position lamp not working | 0.48% |
| 37 | Horn not working | 0.45% |
| 38 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.39% |
| 39 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.39% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.23% |
| 41 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.22% |
| 42 | Brake fluid leak | 0.21% |
| 43 | Brake pedal fault | 0.19% |
| 44 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.17% |
| 45 | Headlamp fault | 0.16% |
| 46 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 47 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.14% |
| 48 | Electrical switch fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.12% |
| 50 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.11% |
| 51 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.11% |
| 52 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 53 | Steering column fault | 0.10% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 55 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.10% |
| 56 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 57 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.08% |
| 58 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.07% |
| 59 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 60 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 62 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.06% |
| 63 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 64 | Spare wheel fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 66 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 67 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.05% |
| 68 | CV joint worn | 0.05% |
| 69 | Steering free play excessive | 0.05% |
| 70 | Body security fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | ABS fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 73 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 75 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 76 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Steering rack fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.03% |
| 80 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 81 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 82 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 83 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.02% |
| 89 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 90 | Stub axle worn | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 92 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 97 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.02% |
| 102 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 104 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.01% |
| 107 | Steering damper fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 109 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 111 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 139 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 151 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 155 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 160 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 164 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 169 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 175 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 179 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 180 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 181 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
Showing all 181 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Citroen Saxo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Citroen Saxo, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Citroen Saxo problems?
Based on analysis of 1.7M Citroen Saxo MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 60 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Citroen Saxo generation has the most problems?
The Citroen Saxo Saxo (1996-2003) (1996–2004) has the highest number of identified common problems (84). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Citroen Saxo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Citroen Saxo owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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