2002 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
44,829 MOT tests on the 2002 Peugeot 206 are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.3% of all tests — 8.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 4,532 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.3% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.0pp more often than petrol ones (32.8% vs 30.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 9,978 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 6,304 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 5,966 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 4,696 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 3,522 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 3,278 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 4,532 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 3,910 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 3,324 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 2,728 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 2,568 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2,414 |
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 | 34.4% | 15,433 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 15,313 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.1% | 13,058 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.1% | 9,883 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 8,939 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.7% | 8,369 |
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 | 1,362 | 19.8% |
| 30-60k | 8,832 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 15,334 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 11,639 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 5,066 | 35.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,510 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 36,447 | 30.8% |
| Diesel | 8,382 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,522 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 10,822 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 8,321 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 6,386 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 4,778 | 30.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 206
On a 2002 206, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- Brakes (13.3% 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.
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 2002 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 44,829 2002 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2002 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 0-30k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,829 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.