2011 Peugeot 207 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 155,253 MOT tests, the 2011 Peugeot 207 recorded a 73.6% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 23.8% of the time, so this is 2.5pp 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 21.1% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 12,351 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.9% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.4% fail against 27.8% for diesel, a 2.5-point gap across 155,253 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 32,685 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 15,698 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 14,841 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.7% | 8,771 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.4% | 8,429 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 7,716 |
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 | 12,351 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 11,606 |
| 3 | Joints | 11,503 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 10,312 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 8,221 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 7,191 |
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 | 29.5% | 45,772 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.2% | 32,870 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.3% | 28,356 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 23,296 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 22,394 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 18,681 |
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 | 5,795 | 14.2% |
| 30-60k | 39,392 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 60,624 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 34,793 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 11,251 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,345 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 92,514 | 25.4% |
| Diesel | 62,739 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34,366 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 33,219 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 31,956 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 29,554 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 26,158 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 207
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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 (9.6% 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 2011 Peugeot 207s pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 155,253 2011 Peugeot 207 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Peugeot 207?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2011 207 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 155,253 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.