1982 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
326 MOT tests on the 1982 Citroen 2Cv are in this dataset, and 80.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 18.4%, so the 1982 2Cv sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.8% of all tests — 8.0 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 30 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.4% in the 0-30k band and 17.1% in the 90-120k band, a 5.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 16.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.6% in 2021 to 11.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 45 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 19 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.2% | 17 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.6% | 15 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 14 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.8% | 9 |
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 | 30 |
| 2 | Joints | 14 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 13 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 11 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 10 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 10 |
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 | 16.3% | 53 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 45 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.5% | 44 |
| 4 | Tyres | 8.0% | 26 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.8% | 19 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.7% | 12 |
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 | 116 | 22.4% |
| 30-60k | 95 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 80 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 17.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 97 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 46 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 42 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 35 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 1982 2Cv
On a 1982 2Cv, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (5.8% 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+.
- Brakes (5.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1982 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
80.7% of the 326 1982 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (5.8%).
Does the 1982 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 0-30k band to 17.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 326 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.