Citroen
Saxo
7,303 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Saxos pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 13.2 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
64.3%
Pass-after-fix
5.1%
Fail
29.5%
Avg miles
75,106
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars registered before January 2006 are typically pre-Euro 4 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ. Bristol CAZ does not charge petrol cars. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Saxo: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 5,749 MOT tests, the Saxo returns 63.3% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A split CV-joint boot and a missing CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 74,297, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 6–22
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
6–22
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
486 occurrences · 6.7% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
302 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 03
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
287 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 04
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
267 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
257 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 06
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
250 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 07
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
231 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 08
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
209 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 09
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
203 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 10
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
190 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Recall history
3 UK recalls on record.
The Saxo has 3 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Saxo?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Saxo and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.