2008 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Peugeot 206 passed 72.6% of its 9,983 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 26.8%, so the 2008 206 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.0%) and suspension (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 722 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.7% in the 0-30k band and 32.8% in the 150k+ band, a 21.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.6pp more often than petrol ones (29.2% vs 26.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 1,596 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 1,378 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 1,041 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 564 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.5% | 552 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 534 |
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 | 722 |
| 2 | Joints | 658 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 565 |
| 4 | Wipers | 418 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 405 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 396 |
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 | 30.6% | 3,058 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.4% | 2,838 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 23.0% | 2,292 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.2% | 2,217 |
| 5 | Brakes | 18.6% | 1,859 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 1,390 |
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 | 590 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,654 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,555 | 28.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,073 | 33.1% |
| 120-150k | 830 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 268 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,099 | 26.7% |
| Diesel | 2,884 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,727 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 2,356 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 1,988 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 1,621 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 1,291 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 206
On a 2008 206, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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 (10.4% 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 2008 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 9,983 2008 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2008 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,983 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.