Citroen Cx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Citroen Cx car check
Is the Citroen Cx reliable? We analysed 5,742 real MOT tests across 786 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Citroen Cx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Citroen Cx is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen Cx.
Citroen Cx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Citroen Cx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Citroen Cx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Citroen Cx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Citroen Cx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Citroen Cx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Citroen Cx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Citroen Cx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Citroen Cx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen Cx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 348 | 67.2% | 112,201 | 137,980 | 169,486 |
| 1989 | 890 | 68.7% | 81,226 | 103,287 | 134,124 |
| 1988 | 938 | 67.6% | 78,652 | 104,340 | 133,152 |
| 1987 | 651 | 65.9% | 79,216 | 112,516 | 149,556 |
| 1986 | 809 | 69.7% | 81,583 | 101,923 | 131,418 |
| 1985 | 561 | 66.7% | 56,376 | 76,588 | 108,948 |
| 1984 | 243 | 67.9% | 52,698 | 78,946 | 93,155 |
| 1983 | 255 | 76.1% | 30,676 | 45,746 | 61,991 |
| 1982 | 153 | 73.2% | 45,713 | 58,867 | 68,170 |
| 1981 | 189 | 65.6% | 46,480 | 63,316 | 78,600 |
| 1980 | 63 | 77.8% | 64,654 | 82,821 | 89,772 |
| 1979 | 261 | 75.5% | 39,230 | 58,787 | 79,917 |
| 1977 | 58 | 67.2% | 19,682 | 23,610 | 47,904 |
| 1976 | 68 | 69.1% | 62,706 | 67,010 | 76,439 |
How Long Does a Citroen Cx Last?
Based on 786 Citroen Cx vehicles on UK roads.
Citroen Cx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Citroen Cx 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 Cx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.8% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
65.6% MOT pass rate from 189 tests
The best year to buy a used Citroen Cx is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.8% across 63 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Citroen Cx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen Cx THIS CAR | 68.8% | 5,742 | 91,378 mi | 50 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 |
| Skoda Karoq SE Drive TSI | 91.2% | 5,036 | 28,284 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen Cx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Citroen Cx 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 CxShould you buy a used Citroen Cx?
The Citroen Cx has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.8% across 5,742 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Citroen Cx are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (377 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (374), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (301). 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 Cx owner drives around 1,286 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 Cx models stay on UK roads for around 50 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.