2012 Peugeot 207 — MOT failures & pass rate
95,446 MOT tests on the 2012 Peugeot 207 are in this dataset, and 75.5% of them passed. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 22.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.5% of all tests — 10.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 6,873 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.4% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.5pp more often than petrol ones (26.6% vs 23.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 18,596 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.8% | 8,440 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 8,312 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 5,042 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.1% | 4,883 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 4,143 |
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 | 6,873 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 6,602 |
| 3 | Joints | 6,273 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 4,983 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 4,670 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 3,723 |
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 | 28.9% | 27,580 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.2% | 20,240 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.4% | 17,602 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.6% | 13,937 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 13,854 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 10,057 |
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 | 4,632 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 27,135 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 36,959 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 18,983 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 5,884 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,844 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 56,757 | 23.1% |
| Diesel | 38,689 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,294 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 20,038 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 19,731 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 18,596 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 16,787 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 207
On a 2012 207, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 (8.7% 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 2012 Peugeot 207s pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 95,446 2012 Peugeot 207 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Peugeot 207?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.8%).
Does the 2012 207 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 95,446 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.