1984 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
707 MOT tests on the 1984 Citroen 2Cv are in this dataset, and 80.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 19.6%, so the 1984 2Cv sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.6% of all tests — 10.3 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 56 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1984 2Cv fails 18.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 22.2% at 90-120k, a spread of only 4.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 22.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.8% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 117 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 44 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 43 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 31 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.0% | 28 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 23 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 40 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 36 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 22 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 6 | King pins | 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 | Suspension | 22.8% | 161 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 120 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 78 |
| 4 | Tyres | 10.9% | 77 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.9% | 56 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 48 |
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 | 181 | 18.2% |
| 30-60k | 209 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 218 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 170 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 165 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 133 | 16.5% |
| 2025 | 72 | 18.1% |
What to check before buying a 1984 2Cv
On a 1984 2Cv, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.2% 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 (6.1% 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 1984 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 707 1984 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1984 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.2%).
Does the 1984 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 707 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.