1993 Peugeot 205 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,023 MOT tests on the 1993 Peugeot 205 are in this dataset, and 74.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (23.4% fail rate), the 1993 205 comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — service brake performance alone was recorded 198 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.8% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.9% of the time against 26.2% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.8% in 2021 to 23.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 368 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 261 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 166 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.0% | 162 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 162 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 147 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 198 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 174 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 141 |
| 4 | Washers | 130 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 122 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 98 |
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 | 30.5% | 617 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.7% | 460 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.3% | 411 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 343 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.7% | 338 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.6% | 254 |
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 | 33 | 18.2% |
| 30-60k | 248 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 562 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 475 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 386 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 314 | 26.8% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,283 | 24.9% |
| Diesel | 740 | 26.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 482 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 418 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 400 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 372 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 351 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 1993 205
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.9% 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.
- Suspension (8.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 1993 Peugeot 205s pass their MOT?
74.6% of the 2,023 1993 Peugeot 205 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Peugeot 205?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by brakes (12.9%).
Does the 1993 205 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,023 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.