1989 Citroen 2Cv — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,011 MOT tests analysed for the 1989 Citroen 2Cv, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 79.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (79.7%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 331 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 126 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.1% | 123 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.5% | 111 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 99 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 93 |
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 | 166 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 104 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 102 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 94 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 91 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 87 |
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 | 19.9% | 400 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 13.8% | 277 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 264 |
| 4 | Tyres | 10.7% | 215 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.8% | 177 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.4% | 108 |
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 | 492 | 22.8% |
| 30-60k | 545 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 783 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 181 | 19.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 414 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 424 | 21.5% |
| 2023 | 403 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 375 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 395 | 17.5% |
What to check before buying a 1989 2Cv
Before buying a 1989 Citroen 2Cv, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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+.
- Suspension (6.1% 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.
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 1989 Citroen 2Cvs pass their MOT?
79.4% of the 2,011 1989 Citroen 2Cv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Citroen 2Cv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (6.3%).
Does the 1989 2Cv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 0-30k band to 19.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,011 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.