1994 Peugeot 306 — MOT failures & pass rate
554 MOT tests on the 1994 Peugeot 306 are in this dataset, and 73.8% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail 23.3% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (12.3%) and lighting & signalling (10.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 46 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.7% in the 30-60k band and 27.4% in the 150k+ band, a 7.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.3% | 68 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 59 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 57 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 50 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 45 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 46 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 39 |
| 3 | Wipers | 34 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 5 | Washers | 28 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 28 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.3% | 201 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 175 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.0% | 155 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.3% | 129 |
| 5 | Tyres | 21.7% | 120 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.7% | 87 |
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 | 61 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 145 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 163 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 88 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 73 | 27.4% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 307 | 25.1% |
| Diesel | 247 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 139 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 126 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 107 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 98 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 84 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 1994 306
On a 1994 306, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (12.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
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 1994 Peugeot 306s pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 554 1994 Peugeot 306 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Peugeot 306?
Brakes, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.7%).
Does the 1994 306 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 30-60k band to 27.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 554 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.