1989 Peugeot 205 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1989 Peugeot 205 passed 78.9% of its 3,099 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 21.3%, so the 1989 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 14.7% of all tests — 5.0 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 202 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 0-30k band and 26.2% in the 150k+ band, a 21.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.2% in 2021 to 20.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 456 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 302 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.2% | 222 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.8% | 180 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 168 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 157 |
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 | 202 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 201 |
| 3 | Washers | 198 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 141 |
| 5 | Non catalyst emissions | 119 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 113 |
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 | 22.4% | 693 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.3% | 598 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 545 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 412 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.6% | 328 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.2% | 253 |
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 | 103 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 273 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 606 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 870 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 682 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 539 | 26.2% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,887 | 20.5% |
| Diesel | 212 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 686 | 22.2% |
| 2022 | 659 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 612 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 573 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 569 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 1989 205
On a 1989 205, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.8% 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 (7.2% 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 1989 Peugeot 205s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 3,099 1989 Peugeot 205 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Peugeot 205?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by brakes (9.8%).
Does the 1989 205 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 26.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,099 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.