Citroen Saxo (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,578 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,900

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1,900/year to run. 10 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Citroen Saxo

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1124cc23 years old1,578 tests77k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1124cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,900

Per month£158/mo

Per week£37/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

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

72% of MOT tests on Citroen Saxos from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 1,578 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 76,922 miles.

Got a Citroen Saxo you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models230th of 429(bottom half)

Rank among Citroen models398th of 589(bottom half)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average+0%(72% avg)

vs Citroen average-7%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

76,922

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Citroen Saxo had 76,922 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Citroen Saxo?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-1%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-1%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

-1%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+1%

Check a Specific Citroen Saxo

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2003 Citroen Saxo

The 2003 Citroen Saxo is a city car. Our records list a 1124cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,578 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 76,922 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.

2003 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 2003 Citroen Saxo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,900 (£158/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2003 Citroen Saxo

At 23 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.

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.

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 2003 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(2003)	72%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£253
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£253

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 2003 Citroen Saxo

Is the 2003 Citroen Saxo reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 2003 Citroen Saxos ended in a pass, from 1,578 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Citroen Saxo cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,900 a year (£158 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Citroen Saxo?

72% of 1,578 MOT tests on the 2003 Citroen Saxo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 230th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom half).

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 2003 Citroen Saxo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Citroen Saxo is 76,922 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.