Citroen 2Cv
From 6,961 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older 2Cvs fare better: 1990 models pass at 72.3% vs 78.2% for 1985.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 318 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 318 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 234 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 212 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 204 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 183 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 167 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 158 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 131 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 127 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 108 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 21.8% of 2Cv failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 0% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £87.
Citroen 2Cv on UK roads
Fleet numbers are roughly stable, with 11 new registrations and 11 leaving.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 2,959 | 3,760 | +2 | -0 | +11 |
| 2025 Q2 | 2,922 | 3,786 | +4 | -0 | +34 |
| 2025 Q1 | 2,544 | 4,130 | +3 | -0 | +26 |
| 2024 Q4 | 2,557 | 4,091 | +2 | -11 | -9 |
| 2024 Q3 | 2,857 | 3,800 | +1 | -0 | +20 |
| 2024 Q2 | 2,878 | 3,759 | +4 | -0 | +130 |
| 2024 Q1 | 2,598 | 3,909 | +1 | -152 | -151 |
| 2023 Q4 | 2,519 | 4,139 | +2 | -9 | -7 |
5 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Cv6 Special | Petrol | 1,160 | 40% |
| 2Cv6 Dolly | Petrol | 795 | 27% |
| 2 Cv6 | Petrol | 644 | 22% |
| 2 Cv | Petrol | 242 | 8% |
| 2Cv Bamboo | Petrol | 89 | 3% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 72.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1989 | 77.4% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1988 | 77.1% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1987 | 72.4% | an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
3 earlier years
| 1986 | 77.9% | an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1985 | 78.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1984 | 71.7% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits |
Typical mileage
Half of all 2Cvs tested had between 37,239 and 84,720 miles on the clock.
At 63,994 median miles, the 2Cv has 0.038 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Citroen models
| Citroen C3 | 71.4% |
| Citroen Berlingo | 67.9% |
| Citroen C4 | 68.9% |
| Citroen C1 | 74.9% |
| Citroen Ds3 | 66.5% |
Common questions
What is the Citroen 2Cv MOT pass rate?
The Citroen 2Cv has a 76% MOT pass rate based on 6,961 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Citroen 2Cv?
The most common MOT failure on the Citroen 2Cv is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 318 failures. Other common issues include an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
How many Citroen 2Cvs are on UK roads?
There are 2,959 Citroen 2Cvs currently licensed on UK roads, with 3,760 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Citroen 2Cv at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Citroen 2Cv is 63,994 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 37,239 and 84,720 miles.
Buying a used 2Cv?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 76% pass rate and an average repair bill of £87 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.