1988 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,795 MOT tests analysed for the 1988 Citroen 2Cv, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 79.8% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (80.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 467 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.4% | 180 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 157 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 150 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 122 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 109 |
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 | 218 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 158 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 152 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 142 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 113 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 97 |
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 | 22.2% | 620 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 431 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 371 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.2% | 257 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.9% | 248 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.9% | 165 |
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 | 602 | 22.3% |
| 30-60k | 804 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,067 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 316 | 20.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 558 | 19.5% |
| 2022 | 586 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 570 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 547 | 19.9% |
| 2025 | 534 | 17.8% |
What to check before buying a 1988 2Cv
Before buying a 1988 Citroen 2Cv, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.4% 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 (5.6% 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 1988 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 2,795 1988 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1988 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (6.4%).
Does the 1988 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,795 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.