2009 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,682 MOT tests on the 2009 Peugeot 206 are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 25.9% of the time, so this is 1.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests against 13.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 392 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.6% versus 11.1%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 26.8% of the time against 28.2% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 835 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 631 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 442 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 267 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.1% | 237 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 235 |
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 | 392 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 340 |
| 3 | Joints | 230 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 221 |
| 5 | Wipers | 211 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 207 |
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 | 29.2% | 1,369 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.4% | 1,331 |
| 3 | Other defects | 28.3% | 1,323 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.1% | 1,221 |
| 5 | Brakes | 17.9% | 838 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.7% | 642 |
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 | 171 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,121 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,813 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,178 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 307 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 90 | 35.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,539 | 26.8% |
| Diesel | 1,143 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,221 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 1,083 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 927 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 812 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 639 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 206
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.5% 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 2009 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 4,682 2009 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.5%).
Does the 2009 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,682 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.