MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Citroen Saxo fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The Citroen Saxo records 24.44 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 32.11 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−7.67, 95% interval −8.21 to −7.13). It ranks 562 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Citroen Saxo by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Citroen Saxo is “The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired”, recorded 4,631 times in 2019–2024.

Citroen Saxo: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired4,63111.05
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn1,7934.28
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated8992.15
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7581.81
A wheel bearing excessively rough3720.89

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 41,905 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

If a Citroen Saxo gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

21.9% of Citroen Saxo MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 2,362 miles later (4,586 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,586 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Citroen Saxo 1998 · Citroen Saxo 1999 · Citroen Saxo 2000 · Citroen Saxo 2001 · Citroen Saxo 2002 · Citroen Saxo 2003 · Citroen Saxo 2004 · Citroen Saxo in the Netherlands · Citroen Saxo by postcode area · Citroen Saxo body, chassis and structure failures · Citroen Saxo brakes failures · Citroen Saxo vehicle identification failures · Citroen Saxo lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Citroen Saxo noise, emissions and leaks failures · Citroen Saxo road wheels failures · Citroen Saxo seat belts and airbags failures · Citroen Saxo steering failures · Citroen Saxo tyres failures · Citroen Saxo visibility failures