Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel (1989)

2,097 real MOT outcomes analysed

1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel

CarHunch has 2,097 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Citroen vehicles below.

Browse all Citroen models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The 1989 Citroën BX 17 RD Diesel doesn't appear in the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database, so we have no pass rates, failure patterns, or defect statistics to analyse for this cohort. This is unsurprising: a 35-year-old diesel saloon from this era is extremely rare on UK roads today, and most surviving examples may be registered as historic or light commercial vehicles tested under different regimes. What we do know is that the BX was a respected mid-range family car with a reputation for handling and efficiency, though parts availability and specialist servicing for an obscure 1980s diesel engine are now genuine challenges.

If you're considering buying one, accept that MOT history won't tell you much—instead, lean heavily on a pre-purchase inspection by someone who knows classic French cars, verify the service history meticulously, and budget generously for any mechanical work, as finding a mechanic willing to touch a 35-year-old Citroën diesel is half the battle.

MOT statistics not available

We have 2,097 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1989 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel

Based on MOT data from 2,097 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 9,528 Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 35.1%

3,345

White 25.2%

2,398

Blue 13.3%

1,263

Cream 10.8%

1,033

Silver 8.1%

775

Grey 3.3%

315

Black 1.7%

164

Maroon 1.2%

116

Brown 0.8%

Gold 0.2%

Yellow 0.1%

Beige 0.1%

Other model years — Citroen Bx 17 Rd Diesel: All Bx 17 Rd Diesel years → Which year to buy? →

1985 1986 1987 1988 1990

Or browse all models: Citroen →

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