2006 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Peugeot 206 passed 71.6% of its 56,665 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 28.3%, so the 2006 206 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.9% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 4,096 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.3% in the 0-30k band and 33.0% in the 150k+ band, a 19.7-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.0pp more often than petrol ones (29.9% vs 27.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 10,129 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 8,160 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 5,069 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 3,957 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 3,706 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 3,439 |
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 | 4,096 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,490 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 3,155 |
| 4 | Wipers | 2,898 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 2,660 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 2,191 |
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 | 31.3% | 17,739 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.9% | 17,519 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.6% | 16,784 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.8% | 11,803 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 10,859 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 7,819 |
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 | 1,667 | 13.3% |
| 30-60k | 11,856 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 20,779 | 28.9% |
| 90-120k | 14,377 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,960 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,985 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 41,967 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 14,691 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,970 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 13,689 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 10,970 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 8,549 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 6,487 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 206
On a 2006 206, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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 (8.9% 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.
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 2006 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 56,665 2006 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2006 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 0-30k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 56,665 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.