Citroen 2CV Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Citroen 2CV car check
Is the Citroen 2CV reliable? We analysed 92,003 real MOT tests across 7,843 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Citroen 2CV? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Citroen 2CV is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen 2CV.
Citroen 2CV Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Citroen 2CV. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Citroen 2CV MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Citroen 2CV to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Citroen 2CV Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Citroen 2CV fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Citroen 2CV Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Citroen 2CV owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Citroen 2CV MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen 2CV year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 75 | 76.0% | 20,547 | 54,517 | 78,989 |
| 2015 | 66 | 71.2% | 8,932 | 54,901 | 72,238 |
| 2008 | 73 | 71.2% | 27,925 | 61,662 | 69,324 |
| 2007 | 109 | 81.7% | 29,080 | 42,934 | 74,249 |
| 2006 | 71 | 74.6% | 10,012 | 47,825 | 60,635 |
| 2005 | 161 | 74.5% | 32,958 | 74,238 | 86,675 |
| 2004 | 74 | 87.8% | 23,176 | 49,186 | 66,224 |
| 2003 | 61 | 70.5% | 20,303 | 39,194 | 61,100 |
| 2000 | 56 | 69.6% | 31,862 | 47,248 | 69,557 |
| 1999 | 102 | 72.5% | 20,251 | 79,168 | 87,358 |
| 1998 | 109 | 70.6% | 32,339 | 50,495 | 70,137 |
| 1997 | 80 | 76.3% | 25,089 | 41,852 | 77,564 |
| 1996 | 147 | 74.8% | 29,100 | 64,876 | 85,667 |
| 1995 | 61 | 75.4% | 73,430 | 87,691 | 92,058 |
| 1994 | 58 | 70.7% | 17,563 | 30,164 | 50,494 |
| 1993 | 86 | 70.9% | 14,145 | 79,320 | 87,275 |
| 1992 | 147 | 72.1% | 9,952 | 34,652 | 69,312 |
| 1991 | 124 | 79.0% | 20,226 | 43,651 | 53,784 |
| 1990 | 5,320 | 70.9% | 28,901 | 56,985 | 76,690 |
| 1989 | 11,329 | 70.7% | 34,004 | 57,090 | 75,266 |
How Long Does a Citroen 2CV Last?
Based on 7,843 Citroen 2CV vehicles on UK roads.
Citroen 2CV Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Citroen 2CV MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Citroen 2CV
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.8% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
69.3% MOT pass rate from 101 tests
The best year to buy a used Citroen 2CV is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.8% across 74 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Citroen 2CV Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen 2CV THIS CAR | 70.7% | 92,003 | 58,071 mi | 45 yrs |
| Citroen Xsara | 69.1% | 5,047,330 | 77,497 mi | 28 yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo | 70.1% | 4,453,235 | 83,738 mi | 29 yrs |
| Citroen C3 | 72.7% | 4,435,918 | 53,913 mi | 24 yrs |
| Chrysler 300 C | 72.6% | 31,231 | 75,915 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen 2CV outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Citroen 2CV you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Citroen 2CVShould you buy a used Citroen 2CV?
The Citroen 2CV has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.7% across 92,003 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Citroen 2CV are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (6,227 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3,796), and fog lamp not working (3,473). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Citroen 2CV owner drives around 806 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Citroen 2CV models stay on UK roads for around 45 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.