2007 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
22,249 MOT tests on the 2007 Peugeot 206 are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2007 206 comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,534 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.1% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.0% fail against 29.8% for diesel, a 3.8-point gap across 22,249 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.6% 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 | 16.2% | 3,612 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 2,827 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 2,091 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.2% | 1,607 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 1,301 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,207 |
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 | 1,534 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,356 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,070 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,062 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 976 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 934 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.6% | 6,590 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.6% | 6,145 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.0% | 5,558 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 4,069 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.1% | 3,809 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 3,402 |
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 | 1,271 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 6,336 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 8,536 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,381 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,262 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 451 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 18,579 | 26.0% |
| Diesel | 3,670 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,282 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 5,228 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 4,385 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 3,538 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 2,816 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 206
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2007 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 22,249 2007 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2007 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,249 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.