2005 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 80,142 MOT tests, the 2005 Peugeot 206 recorded a 71.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (28.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests against 15.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 5,831 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.5% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.1% fail against 30.9% for diesel, a 2.8-point gap across 80,142 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 14,636 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 12,035 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.2% | 7,352 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 6,087 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 5,485 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 4,938 |
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 | 5,831 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 5,013 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 4,406 |
| 4 | Wipers | 4,104 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 3,749 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 2,958 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.4% | 27,584 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.8% | 23,915 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.3% | 23,463 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.1% | 16,072 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.6% | 14,927 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 11,955 |
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 | 1,858 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 15,314 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 29,412 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 21,412 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 8,662 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 3,415 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 61,957 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 18,185 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,347 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 19,445 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 15,117 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 11,663 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 8,570 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 206
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (9.2% 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 2005 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 80,142 2005 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2005 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 80,142 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.