1991 Citroen Bx — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 302 MOT tests analysed for the 1991 Citroen Bx, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 76.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 37 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 36 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 21 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 16 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.6% | 14 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 10 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 15 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 13 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 11 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 6 | Joints | 9 |
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 | 34.1% | 103 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.2% | 61 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.2% | 58 |
| 4 | Suspension | 14.6% | 44 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.9% | 33 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 21 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 43 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 74 | 16.2% |
| 120-150k | 82 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 72 | 30.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 157 | 20.4% |
| Diesel | 145 | 27.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 75 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 57 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 50 | 16.0% |
| 2025 | 54 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Bx
Before buying a 1991 Citroen Bx, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.9% 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 (7.0% 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 1991 Citroen Bxs pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 302 1991 Citroen Bx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Citroen Bx?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 1991 Bx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.9% in the 60-90k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 302 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.