1987 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,486 MOT tests, the 1987 Citroen 2Cv recorded a 78.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (20.6% 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 17.2% of tests against 7.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 330 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1987 2Cv fails 20.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.6% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 21.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.9% in 2021 to 19.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 600 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 246 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 240 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 220 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 202 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 162 |
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 | 330 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 197 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 178 |
| 4 | Non catalyst emissions | 176 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 173 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 160 |
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 | 21.9% | 762 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 583 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 438 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.8% | 343 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.8% | 307 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 246 |
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 | 875 | 20.3% |
| 30-60k | 917 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,356 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 329 | 21.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 712 | 22.9% |
| 2022 | 736 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 679 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 680 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 679 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 1987 2Cv
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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 (6.9% 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 1987 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 3,486 1987 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 1987 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 0-30k band to 21.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,486 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.