How much does a 1997 CITROEN SAXO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,875 (£156/month), including £955 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 CITROEN SAXO?

The 1997 CITROEN SAXO has a 67% MOT pass rate based on 428 tests in 2026. This ranks 277 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year CITROEN SAXO is most reliable?

The 2003 CITROEN SAXO has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 66%.

CITROEN SAXO (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 CITROEN SAXO?

The average mileage for a 1997 CITROEN SAXO is 73,599 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 428 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,875

£156/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £1875/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1124cc29 years old428 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1124cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Based on 1124cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,875

Per month£156/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 29 years old, 67% of CITROEN SAXOs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 428 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,599 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars277th of 320(top 87%)

Rank among CITROEN models529th of 599(top 88%)

vs national average-15%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-8%(75% avg)

vs CITROEN average-12%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,599

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 CITROEN SAXO has 73,599 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2003 model with a 72% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1997 sits between the two at 67%.

CITROEN SAXO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	69%	126	69,450 mi
2003	72%	1,578	76,922 mi
2002	69%	1,735	75,449 mi
2001	70%	1,653	76,891 mi
2000	66%	884	74,512 mi
1999	69%	507	66,965 mi
1998	70%	359	75,611 mi
1997	67%	428	73,599 mi
1996	82%	33	58,636 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+6%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+22%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

+3%

FORD FIESTA

1999 · 1392cc Petrol

£1,922/year

67%

same

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About the 1997 CITROEN SAXO

The 1997 CITROEN SAXO is a city car with a 1124cc petrol engine. 428 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 87% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 73,599 miles at 29 years old, CITROEN SAXO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 CITROEN SAXO Fuel Costs

The modest 1124cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 CITROEN SAXO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,875 (£156/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CITROEN SAXO Reliability Trend

The CITROEN SAXO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 CITROEN SAXO

At 29 years old, the CITROEN SAXO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 72%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 CITROEN SAXO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 CITROEN SAXO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
CITROEN SAXO(1997)	67%	£955	£165	Grp 5-15	£1875
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£48
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£485
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£153
FORD FIESTA(1999)	67%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1922+£47

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.