2010 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2010 Peugeot 206 passed 72.2% of its 255 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (24.6% fail rate), the 2010 206 comes out 3.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests against 13.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, service brake performance and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 22 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.3% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.1% in 2021 to 23.5% in 2024, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 18 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 22 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 15 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 13 |
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 | 25.9% | 66 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 53 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.4% | 52 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 50 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 50 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 43 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 57 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 100 | 23.0% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 129 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 126 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 53 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 49 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 34 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 206
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.7% 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.
- Brakes (7.8% 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 2010 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 255 2010 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2010 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 30-60k band to 34.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 255 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.