1990 Citroen Bx — MOT failures & pass rate
325 MOT tests on the 1990 Citroen Bx are in this dataset, and 72.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 21.8% of the time, so this is 5.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.9%) and suspension (12.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, steering rack and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 27 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.5% versus 21.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 33.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.1% in 2021 to 25.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 45 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 42 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.0% | 26 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.1% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.5% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 27 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 18 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 18 |
| 4 | Joints | 16 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 15 |
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 | 33.2% | 108 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.9% | 84 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 62 |
| 4 | Suspension | 17.2% | 56 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.7% | 38 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 87 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 62 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 31.5% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 210 | 25.2% |
| Diesel | 115 | 32.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 35.1% |
| 2022 | 62 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 68 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 59 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 59 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Bx
On a 1990 Bx, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 (10.2% 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 1990 Citroen Bxs pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 325 1990 Citroen Bx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Citroen Bx?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 1990 Bx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 325 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.