2001 Peugeot 306 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,047 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Peugeot 306, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 71.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.2% in the 150k+ group versus 24.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.0% | 1,059 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 958 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 781 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 591 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 458 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 345 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 457 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 416 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 339 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 318 |
| 5 | Wipers | 306 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 259 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.6% | 2,860 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.2% | 1,915 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.2% | 1,914 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 1,485 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 1,121 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.0% | 983 |
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 | 113 | 24.8% |
| 30-60k | 633 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,702 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,950 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,217 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,293 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,664 | 27.5% |
| Diesel | 3,383 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,133 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 1,666 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 1,306 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 1,068 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 874 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 306
Before buying a 2001 Peugeot 306, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 15.0% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (15.0% 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 (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
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 2001 Peugeot 306s pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 7,047 2001 Peugeot 306 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Peugeot 306?
Brakes, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.6%).
Does the 2001 306 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,047 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.