Peugeot 206: what fails at MOT
36,000 MOT tests on the Peugeot 206 in 2024, counted. 47.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
47.6% of Peugeot 206 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 42.1%, so the 206 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (16.3% of tests), suspension (13.3% of tests) and brakes (8.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 675 | 46.7% | 39.8% | 81,200 60,200 to 99,800 |
| 2008 | 1,286 | 49.6% | 41.5% | 76,200 55,800 to 101,700 |
| 2007 | 3,070 | 45.7% | 41.5% | 72,200 53,900 to 92,400 |
| 2006 | 7,963 | 47.2% | 42.4% | 82,000 61,200 to 106,500 |
| 2005 | 11,086 | 48.0% | 42.2% | 84,100 63,000 to 106,800 |
| 2004 | 11,560 | 47.7% | 42.3% | 83,800 63,300 to 107,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Peugeot 206 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 206 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 16.3% | 14.1% |
| Suspension | 13.3% | 11.2% |
| Brakes | 8.2% | 8.9% |
| Body and structure | 7.0% | 5.8% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 6.0% | 4.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 5.4% | 4.6% |
| Tyres | 5.2% | 4.6% |
| Steering | 3.3% | 2.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light5.4%
- Headlamp aim5.1%
- Ball joint4.1%
- Exhaust system3.7%
- Wipers3.5%
- Tyre3.5%
- Headlamp3.3%
- Washers2.6%
- Rear fog light2.5%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover2.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.5%
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.7%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
- Rear fog light: not working2.4%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive12.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.5%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)8.1%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material6.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.8%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases5.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Peugeot 206's own MOT record
Looking at a 206? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.