1991 Peugeot 205 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1991 Peugeot 205 passed 77.5% of its 3,492 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (22.3% 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 14.5% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 263 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.2% in the 0-30k band and 26.5% in the 150k+ band, a 10.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.3% in 2021 to 19.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 505 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 351 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.8% | 238 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.3% | 221 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 214 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 133 |
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 | 263 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 221 |
| 3 | Washers | 199 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 137 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 135 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 133 |
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 | 24.3% | 850 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 700 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.4% | 607 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.9% | 520 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.6% | 441 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.8% | 343 |
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 | 111 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 367 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 816 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,047 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 651 | 20.7% |
| 150k+ | 490 | 26.5% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,081 | 21.9% |
| Diesel | 411 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 752 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 751 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 723 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 650 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 616 | 19.5% |
What to check before buying a 1991 205
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.5% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (10.1% 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 (6.8% 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 1991 Peugeot 205s pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 3,492 1991 Peugeot 205 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Peugeot 205?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.1%).
Does the 1991 205 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,492 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.