1985 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1985 Citroen 2Cv passed 80.0% of its 1,582 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (20.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests against 7.7% 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 143 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1985 2Cv fails 21.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 20.4% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.7 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 21.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 259 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 122 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 99 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 99 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 65 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 59 |
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 | 143 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 80 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 79 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 64 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 55 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 53 |
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 | 21.3% | 337 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 238 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 210 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.9% | 189 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.1% | 159 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.6% | 121 |
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 | 413 | 21.1% |
| 30-60k | 459 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 541 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 167 | 20.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 350 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 329 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 318 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 305 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 280 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 1985 2Cv
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (7.7% 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
How many 1985 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
80.0% of the 1,582 1985 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1985 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 1985 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,582 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.