Citroen Bx
From 686 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are an obvious leak from any part of the system, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame and spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. The top issue, an obvious leak from any part of the system, caused 32 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| an obvious leak from any part of the system | 32 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 24 |
| 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 | 22 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 21 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 21 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 17 |
| 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 | 15 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 13 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 12 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 11 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 33.5% of Bx failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 6.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £139.
Citroen Bx on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 29 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 1 newly registered, a net loss of 28. At this rate, roughly 51.7 years until none remain. Now at 0.7% of its peak (182,161 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 195 | 1,046 | +0 | -0 | +4 |
| 2025 Q2 | 190 | 1,047 | +1 | -3 | -2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 179 | 1,060 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
| 2024 Q4 | 174 | 1,071 | +0 | -20 | -20 |
| 2024 Q3 | 205 | 1,060 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
| 2024 Q2 | 210 | 1,061 | +0 | -0 | +5 |
| 2024 Q1 | 199 | 1,067 | +1 | -14 | -13 |
| 2023 Q4 | 199 | 1,080 | +1 | -0 | +3 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 73% | an obvious leak from any part of the system, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1991 | 85.6% | a tyre not fitted in compliance with the manufacturers sidewall instruction, tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are different sizes |
| 1990 | 77.6% | windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view, 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all Bxs tested had between 92,608 and 161,111 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 121,830 median miles, the Bx has 0.02 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 Bx MOT pass rate?
The Citroen Bx has a 76.1% MOT pass rate based on 686 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Citroen Bx?
The most common MOT failure on the Citroen Bx is an obvious leak from any part of the system, which caused 32 failures. Other common issues include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced.
How many Citroen Bxs are on UK roads?
There are 195 Citroen Bxs currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,046 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Citroen Bx at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Citroen Bx is 121,830 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 92,608 and 161,111 miles.
Buying a used Bx?
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 76.1% pass rate and an average repair bill of £139 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 33.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.