1962 Citroen Bijou 0.4L Petrol · 854 XVS

The 1961 Citroen Bijou presents a minimal maintenance record consisting of a single MOT pass dated 10 May 2022 at 63,499 miles, with no defects recorded. This clean result indicates the vehicle met roadworthiness standards at that time, though the MOT certificate expired in May 2023, meaning the car has now been without a valid test for over four years. With only one data point available, no meaningful trend of improvement, deterioration, or recurring fault patterns can be established. The absence of advisories or failures in that solitary test is encouraging, but the extended period since inspection leaves the current mechanical condition unverified by any official record. The recorded mileage of 63,499 miles across approximately 65 years equates to an average of roughly 977 miles per year, which is exceptionally low. Such limited annual use typically points to long periods of stationary storage rather than regular commuting or touring. The mileage figure has remained static at 63,499 in the only recorded test, offering no evidence of recent use or any rapid accumulation that might indicate a change in ownership pattern. Without intervening MOT entries, it is impossible to determine whether the vehicle has been driven regularly since May 2022 or has remained largely unused. Given the combination of advanced age, very low mileage, and prolonged storage, a prospective buyer should pay close attention to components that deteriorate through inactivity rather than use. Rubber suspension bushes, brake hoses, and tyre sidewalls are prone to perishing and cracking when a car stands for extended periods, regardless of tread depth. The braking system warrants particular scrutiny, as calipers can bind and discs can corrode with surface pitting after sitting idle. Fuel system integrity should also be assessed, including the condition of flexible fuel lines and the state of the tank interior, which can accumulate rust or varnish residue from stale petrol. Structural inspection is equally critical on a vehicle of this vintage. The underside, sills, floor pans, and suspension mounting points should be examined thoroughly for corrosion, as even low-mileage examples can suffer from moisture ingress during storage. The exhaust system, cooling system hoses, and all fluid levels should be checked for serviceability. While the clean 2022 MOT provides a baseline of mechanical adequacy, the four-year gap since testing means a fresh MOT or independent inspection is essential before any road use.