Citroen Cx (1986)
1986 Citroen Cx
CarHunch analysed 111 real MOT records for the 1986 Citroen Cx. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Citroën CX has a first-time pass rate of just 66.5%, well below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these nearly 40-year-old cars need more work to meet MOT standards. With almost one in five vehicles (19.8%) having recorded a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should view this as a car for enthusiasts rather than everyday transport.
These cars are averaging over 110,000 miles, which is high for their age, yet they're still racking up 2.17 failures and 6.2 advisories per test on average—a sign that wear and rust are catching up faster than mileage alone would suggest. Before buying, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection by a Citroën specialist, as the combination of high failure rates and dangerous defects means regular surprises will be expensive.
What to check before buying a 1986 Citroen Cx
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.
- 📄 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 Cx
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 (88%) | 98 | 68.7% | 2.22 |
| Diesel (12%) | 13 | 49.9% | 1.77 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Citroen Cx 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.
Half of all 1986 Citroen Cx vehicles fall between 80,116 and 134,109 miles.
1986 Citroen Cx — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Citroen Cx
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
51%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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50.3%
Oil leak
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34.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
-
32.8%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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29.3%
Horn not working
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21.7%
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel
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16.2%
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
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16.2%
Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen Cx?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.