2004 Peugeot 307 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 36,220 MOT tests, the 2004 Peugeot 307 recorded a 67.8% pass rate. Against small family cars of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), the 2004 307 comes out 4.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.9% of all tests — 6.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 3,405 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.9% in the 0-30k band and 36.5% in the 150k+ band, a 18.6-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (33.8% vs 31.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.9% | 8,280 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 5,833 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 4,412 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.9% | 3,596 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 2,661 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 2,414 |
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 | 3,405 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3,250 |
| 3 | Joints | 2,588 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,026 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,715 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,656 |
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 | 34.5% | 12,494 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.4% | 12,451 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.7% | 11,133 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.7% | 8,582 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 7,478 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.9% | 6,486 |
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 | 301 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,428 | 24.9% |
| 60-90k | 9,592 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 10,829 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 7,351 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 4,695 | 36.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,638 | 31.3% |
| Diesel | 12,582 | 33.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,569 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 8,983 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 6,572 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 4,728 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 3,368 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 307
On a 2004 307, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% 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 (12.2% 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 2004 Peugeot 307s pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 36,220 2004 Peugeot 307 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Peugeot 307?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2004 307 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 36.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 36,220 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.