1988 Peugeot 205 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,961 MOT tests on the 1988 Peugeot 205 are in this dataset, and 78.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (20.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests against 9.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and service brake performance — washers alone was recorded 140 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.3% in the 0-30k band and 21.5% in the 150k+ band, a 10.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.1% in 2021 to 18.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 268 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 189 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.3% | 163 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 122 |
| 5 | Suspension | 6.1% | 120 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 110 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 140 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 117 |
| 4 | Non catalyst emissions | 87 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 80 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 78 |
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 | 19.7% | 386 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.9% | 352 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 324 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 246 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.3% | 202 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.6% | 188 |
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 | 80 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 196 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 386 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 545 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 392 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 339 | 21.5% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,850 | 21.5% |
| Diesel | 111 | 21.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 430 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 398 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 413 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 371 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 349 | 18.3% |
What to check before buying a 1988 205
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% 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 (8.3% 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 1988 Peugeot 205s pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 1,961 1988 Peugeot 205 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1988 Peugeot 205?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by brakes (9.6%).
Does the 1988 205 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 21.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,961 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.