CITROEN SAXO (2003)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,578 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,675
£140/month
MOT Pass Rate
72%
Average
Road Tax
£165
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 5-15
1124cc Petrol
Check Carefully
72% pass rate, £1675/year to run. 10 points below average.
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.
Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Based on 1124cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this CITROEN SAXO
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.
At 23 years old, 72% of CITROEN SAXOs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,578 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 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?
Mileage Analysis
76,922
Average miles
170,200
Expected for age
The average 2003 CITROEN SAXO has 76,922 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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
Similar Cars to Consider
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 with a 1124cc petrol engine. 1,578 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 76,922 miles at 23 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.
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 £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 2003 CITROEN SAXO?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,675 (£140/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 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
Based on the 2003 CITROEN SAXO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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 riskAlways 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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITROEN SAXO(2003) | 72% | £955 | £165 | Grp 5-15 | £1675 |
| MINI MINI(2005) | 71% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827+£152 |
| FORD FOCUS(2005) | 71% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827+£152 |
| FORD FIESTA(2003) | 71% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£47 |
| TOYOTA YARIS(2005) | 73% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£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.
CITROEN C4
2015 · 1997cc Diesel
CITROEN DS3
2014 · 1560cc Diesel
CITROEN C3
2010 · 1398cc Diesel
MINI MINI
2005 · 1598cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2005 · 1596cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2003 · 1388cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Citroen Saxo.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific CITROEN SAXO
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a CITROEN SAXO? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data