Citroen 2Cv MOT pass rate & common failures
15,536 MOT tests on the Citroen 2Cv (1980–2021) give it a 79.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (20.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 9.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,304 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2Cv fails 20.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.0% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.6% in 2021 to 18.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 2Cv model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 142 | 82.4% | 17.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1982 | 326 | 80.7% | 19.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1983 | 638 | 78.7% | 21.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1984 | 707 | 80.2% | 19.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1985 | 1,582 | 80.0% | 20.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1986 | 2,571 | 80.0% | 20.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 3,486 | 78.5% | 21.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 2,795 | 79.8% | 20.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1989 | 2,011 | 79.4% | 20.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 1,003 | 79.8% | 20.2% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 2,556 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.6% | 1,021 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 972 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.7% | 882 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 715 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 682 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.9% | 445 |
| 8 | Tyres | 1.8% | 281 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,304 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 807 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 780 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 705 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 664 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 603 |
| 7 | Washers | 439 |
| 8 | Individual direction indicators | 405 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.1% | 3,276 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 2,375 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 2,035 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.8% | 1,518 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.8% | 1,371 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.9% | 919 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,812 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 4,329 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 5,658 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,702 | 21.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,359 | 21.6% |
| 2022 | 3,316 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 3,134 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 2,917 | 19.5% |
| 2025 | 2,810 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a Citroen 2Cv
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen 2Cv?
79.6% of the 15,536 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 20.4% fail rate, across model years 1980–2021.
What does the Citroen 2Cv most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, then suspension (6.6%).
How much does mileage affect 2Cv MOT results?
Fail rates run at 20.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 21.0% for 90-120k, a 0.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,536 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.