1987 Peugeot 205 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 964 MOT tests, the 1987 Peugeot 205 recorded a 79.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 20.6%, so the 1987 205 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.5% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 68 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.4% once past 150k — 3.7× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 140 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 104 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.2% | 60 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.8% | 56 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 68 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 66 |
| 3 | Washers | 52 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 44 |
| 5 | Non catalyst emissions | 37 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 36 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.2% | 204 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 17.3% | 167 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 160 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 99 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.8% | 75 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 74 |
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 | 41 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 68 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 180 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 276 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 201 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 190 | 27.4% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 881 | 20.2% |
| Diesel | 83 | 21.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 209 | 19.6% |
| 2022 | 199 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 191 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 184 | 20.1% |
| 2025 | 181 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 1987 205
On a 1987 205, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.8% 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.
- Visibility (6.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 1987 Peugeot 205s pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 964 1987 Peugeot 205 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Peugeot 205?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.8%).
Does the 1987 205 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 27.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 964 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.