Peugeot 206 MOT pass rate and common problems
60.3% of 66,248 Peugeot 206 MOT tests pass.
The 206 passes 60.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Peugeot models (74.1%).
The Peugeot 206 passes 60.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Peugeot 206?
This is the average across every Peugeot 206 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Peugeot’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 69.7% at 10–15 years to 60.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (17) | 17 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (4) | 4 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 69.7% | 376 | 77,342 miles |
| 15+ years | 60.2% | 65,851 | 85,183 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Peugeot 206
The most common reason the Peugeot 206 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 73.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 73.7% | Not working |
| Suspension | 52.6% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 42.4% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 25.5% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 23.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 19.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 17.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 8.4% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.2% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Peugeot 206: what to check
These checks follow the Peugeot 206’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Peugeot 206 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 69.7% to 60.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 81.0% down to 68.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 73.7% of failed Peugeot 206 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 52.6% of failed Peugeot 206 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 42.4% of failed Peugeot 206 MOTs. 20.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 10.4% at 10–15 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 25.5% of failed Peugeot 206 MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 23.6% of failed Peugeot 206 MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Peugeot service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Peugeot models
- Peugeot 108 — 86.2% pass rate
- Peugeot Boxer — 77.8% pass rate
- Peugeot Expert — 74.5% pass rate
- Peugeot 5008 — 76.9% pass rate
- Peugeot 307 — 57.0% pass rate
- Peugeot 508 — 78.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Peugeot 206?
- 60.3% of Peugeot 206 MOT tests pass, based on 66,248 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Peugeot 206?
- The most common reason the Peugeot 206 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 73.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Peugeot 206?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Peugeot 206 are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Peugeot 206?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Peugeot 206's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Peugeot service history guide for how to check and keep one.