1983 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1983 Citroen 2Cv passed 78.7% of its 638 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 19.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests against 7.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 52 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1983 2Cv fails 22.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 20.7% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 19.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.8% in 2021 to 10.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 102 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 46 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 45 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 40 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 19 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 32 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 27 |
| 4 | Wheel bearings | 25 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 22 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 125 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.5% | 118 |
| 3 | Tyres | 11.6% | 74 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 71 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.2% | 52 |
| 6 | Brakes | 8.0% | 51 |
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 | 121 | 22.3% |
| 30-60k | 189 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 240 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 87 | 20.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 172 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 183 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 158 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 75 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 50 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 1983 2Cv
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 (7.0% 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
How many 1983 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 638 1983 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1983 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (7.2%).
Does the 1983 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 638 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.