The picture
2cv: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 3,193 MOT tests, the 2cv returns 74.1% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. A lamp out and an obligatory rear fog lamp missing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 53,681, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
162 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 02
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
140 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 03
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
119 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 04
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
110 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 05
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
101 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 06
Emissions levels exceed default limits
88 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
79 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
74 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 09
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
65 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
60 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£70–£260
If every one of this 2cv's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a 2cv?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 2cv and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.