2003 Peugeot 106 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,686 MOT tests on the 2003 Peugeot 106 are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. That is 1.9 percentage points better than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and brakes (11.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and service brake imbalance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 371 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.4% versus 16.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 638 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 556 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 526 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 380 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 342 |
| 6 | Suspension | 6.1% | 286 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 371 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 334 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 284 |
| 4 | Joints | 284 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 217 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 217 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.9% | 1,166 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.5% | 865 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 763 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.1% | 707 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.0% | 701 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 560 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 341 | 16.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,296 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,797 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 904 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 250 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 90 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,568 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 118 | 22.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,292 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 1,083 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 928 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 784 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 599 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 106
On a 2003 106, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Peugeot 106s pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 4,686 2003 Peugeot 106 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Peugeot 106?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by brakes (11.9%).
Does the 2003 106 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,686 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.