Citroen 2cv MOT Failures

An analysis of 66,411 real DVSA MOT tests on the Citroen 2cv — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 2CV_CLASSIC (1958–1990).

Where the Citroen 2cv fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Citroen 2cv is axle or kingpin wear — this model is 6513 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 66,411 MOT tests, 1.06% of all Citroen 2cv tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include emissions failure (435x the fleet average), headlight fault (365x the fleet average), mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi... (232x the fleet average), and floor deteriorated or insecure (217x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Citroen 2cv's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Citroen 2cv before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Citroen 2cv's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Citroen 2cv specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are axle or kingpin wear (2614x the average) and headlight fault (231x). floor deteriorated or insecure (217x) and abs fault (203x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Citroen 2cv specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are axle or kingpin wear (2936x the average) and mandatory tell-tale for main beam headlamp or r... (215x). emissions failure (189x) and floor deteriorated or insecure (101x) also appear frequently.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Citroen 2cv specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Stub axle to beam movement excessive Dangerous

The stub axle mounting to the trailing arm assembly develops excessive movement at 412.6 times the fleet average rate, particularly on higher mileage cars. Affects 2CV_CLASSIC; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.

Vehicle structure corrosion Dangerous

Structural corrosion affecting assembly rigidity occurs at 44.5 times the fleet average rate. Affects 2CV_CLASSIC; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£2,000.

Excessive emissions levels (602cc) Major

The 602cc flat-twin engine fails emissions testing at 434.5 times the fleet average rate, the highest failure rate in the MOT statistical data. Affects 2CV_CLASSIC; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.

Suspension components worn Major

Suspension pins, bushes, and joints wear at 140.3 times the fleet average rate across all mileage ranges. Affects 2CV_CLASSIC; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Citroen 2cv common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Citroen 2cv

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Citroen 2cv:

Suspension — check for axle or kingpin wear, suspension ball joints worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi..., mandatory tell-tale for main beam headlamp or r....

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about stub axle to beam movement excessive and vehicle structure corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.