Citroen Saxo (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 428 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,160/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

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

67% of MOT tests on Citroen Saxos from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 428 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 73,599 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models267th of 306(bottom 14%)

Rank among Citroen models519th of 589(bottom 13%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

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

vs Citroen average-12%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,599

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Citroen Saxo had 73,599 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2003 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1997 scores 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

£2,328/year

73%

+6%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+22%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+3%

Ford Fiesta

1999 · 1392cc Petrol

£2,383/year

67%

same

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About the 1997 Citroen Saxo

The 1997 Citroen Saxo is a city car. Our records list a 1124cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 428 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 14% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 73,599 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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 £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Citroen Saxo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Citroen Saxo(1997)	67%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£168
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£350
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23
Ford Fiesta(1999)	67%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383+£223

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Citroen Saxo

Is the 1997 Citroen Saxo reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 1997 Citroen Saxos ended in a pass, from 428 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Citroen Saxo cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Citroen Saxo?

67% of 428 MOT tests on the 1997 Citroen Saxo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 267th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 14%).

Which year Citroen Saxo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2003 Citroen Saxo has the highest MOT pass rate at 72% and the 2000 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Citroen Saxo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Citroen Saxo is 73,599 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.