CarCostCheck

CITROEN SAXO (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,735 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,875

£156/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1875/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1124cc24 years old1,735 tests75k 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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 24 years old, 69% of CITROEN SAXOs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,735 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 75,449 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars296th of 403(top 73%)
Rank among CITROEN models481th of 599(top 80%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-4%(73% avg)
vs CITROEN average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

75,449

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 CITROEN SAXO has 75,449 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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 2002 sits between the two at 69%.

CITROEN SAXO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200469%12669,450 mi
200372%1,57876,922 mi
200269%1,73575,449 mi
200170%1,65376,891 mi
200066%88474,512 mi
199969%50766,965 mi
199870%35975,611 mi
199767%42873,599 mi
199682%3358,636 mi

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About the 2002 CITROEN SAXO

The 2002 CITROEN SAXO is a city car with a 1124cc petrol engine. 1,735 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 75,449 miles at 24 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.

2002 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 2002 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 69% 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 2002 CITROEN SAXO

At 24 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 2002 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 69% 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 2002 CITROEN SAXO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN SAXO(2002)69%£955£165Grp 5-15£1875
MINI MINI(2004)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£48
FORD FOCUS(2004)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027+£152
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£153
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2004)67%£1137£30Grp 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.

Related Citroen Models

Explore other Citroen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Citroen Saxo.

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