Citroen 2cv (1986)

1,142 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.2% first-time pass rate

1986 Citroen 2cv

CarHunch analysed 1,142 real MOT records for the 1986 Citroen 2cv. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 10.8% below UK average
69.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
58,080
typical mileage
37,820–74,695 middle half
28.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.65
avg MOT failures per car
over 12 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1986 Citroen 2cv

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 28.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Citroen 2cv

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 1,140 69.3% 3.65
LPG (0%) 1 100% 0
Electric (0%) 1 0% 1

Mileage Distribution

Most 1986 Citroen 2cv vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

37,820
low mileage
58,080
typical
74,695
high mileage

Half of all 1986 Citroen 2cv vehicles fall between 37,820 and 74,695 miles.

1986 Citroen 2cv — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 428 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.

487 428 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

12
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.65
Avg failures per vehicle
13.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Citroen 2cv

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 59.2%
    Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
  • 56.3%
    Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
  • 43.7%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 37.4%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 35.4%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 27.1%
    Offside Rear fog lamp not working
  • 27%
    Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 26.7%
    Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Citroen 2cv?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Citroen 2cv:

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1987 1988 1989 1990