Citroen Saxo (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 126 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,100

£175/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,100/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1124cc22 years old126 tests69k 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

£700

Total per year£2,100

Per month£175/mo

Per week£40/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

69% of MOT tests on Citroen Saxos from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 126 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,450 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models349th of 470(bottom half)

Rank among Citroen models485th of 589(bottom 18%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-3%(72% avg)

vs Citroen average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,450

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Citroen Saxo had 69,450 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 2004 scores 69%. 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

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+4%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+2%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2006 · 1229cc Petrol

£2,353/year

68%

-1%

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About the 2004 Citroen Saxo

The 2004 Citroen Saxo is a city car. Our records list a 1124cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 126 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 69,450 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.

2004 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 2004 Citroen Saxo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,100 (£175/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 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 2004 Citroen Saxo

At 22 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 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 2004 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(2004)	69%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£2,100
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£128
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£128
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£53
Vauxhall Corsa(2006)	68%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£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 2004 Citroen Saxo

Is the 2004 Citroen Saxo reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2004 Citroen Saxos ended in a pass, from 126 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Citroen Saxo cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,100 a year (£175 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 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 2004 Citroen Saxo?

69% of 126 MOT tests on the 2004 Citroen Saxo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 349th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (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 2004 Citroen Saxo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Citroen Saxo is 69,450 miles, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.