Citroen Cx (1989)

127 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67% first-time pass rate

1989 Citroen Cx

CarHunch analysed 127 real MOT records for the 1989 Citroen Cx. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 13% below UK average
67%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
99,275
typical mileage
81,310–123,894 middle half
22.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.2
avg MOT failures per car
over 7.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 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.
  • ⚠️ 22.1% 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 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 (66%) 84 67.3% 2.01
Diesel (34%) 43 66.4% 2.56

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 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.

81,310
low mileage
99,275
typical
123,894
high mileage

Half of all 1989 Citroen Cx vehicles fall between 81,310 and 123,894 miles.

1989 Citroen Cx — Still on the Road

17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 63% of the peak remain.

26 17 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

7.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.2
Avg failures per vehicle
6.6
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Citroen Cx

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

  • 66.7%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 56%
    Oil leak
  • 29.6%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 27.7%
    Parking brake lever has no reserve travel
  • 25.8%
    Horn not working
  • 18.2%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 18.2%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 18.2%
    Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. 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.

UK

Other model years — Citroen Cx:

1986 1988