2006 Peugeot 207 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 52,083 MOT tests, the 2006 Peugeot 207 recorded a 69.3% pass rate. That is 2.4 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 28.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.6% of tests against 16.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 7,377 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.7% in the 0-30k band and 33.9% in the 150k+ band, a 17.2-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.5% of the time against 31.4% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% 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 | 23.6% | 12,314 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 8,535 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 4,417 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 4,182 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.1% | 3,200 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 2,964 |
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 | 7,377 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 6,559 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 3,893 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 3,350 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 2,357 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 2,312 |
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 | 31.6% | 16,478 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 28.1% | 14,645 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.2% | 14,147 |
| 4 | Suspension | 26.0% | 13,525 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 25.9% | 13,511 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 8,555 |
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 | 779 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 7,118 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 18,570 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 16,554 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 6,620 | 33.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,410 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 40,512 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 11,571 | 31.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,982 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 12,782 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 10,028 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 7,736 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 5,555 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 207
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.4% 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 (8.5% 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 207s pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 52,083 2006 Peugeot 207 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Peugeot 207?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.6% of tests, followed by suspension (16.4%).
Does the 2006 207 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 52,083 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.