2005 Peugeot 307 — MOT failures & pass rate
45,853 MOT tests on the 2005 Peugeot 307 are in this dataset, and 68.5% of them passed. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.4% of tests against 15.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 4,512 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 0-30k band and 34.7% in the 150k+ band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 31.0% fail against 32.6% for diesel, a 1.7-point gap across 45,853 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.4% | 10,722 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 7,185 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 4,663 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.6% | 4,383 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 2,904 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 2,667 |
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 | 4,512 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 4,105 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,940 |
| 4 | Joints | 2,862 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 2,693 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 2,461 |
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 | 33.9% | 15,555 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.4% | 15,291 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.3% | 14,343 |
| 4 | Other defects | 25.0% | 11,462 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 9,978 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.8% | 7,220 |
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 | 389 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,365 | 23.7% |
| 60-90k | 12,609 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 14,909 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 8,997 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 4,562 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 30,117 | 31.0% |
| Diesel | 15,736 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,023 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 11,335 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 8,621 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 6,309 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 4,565 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 307
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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 (10.2% 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 2005 Peugeot 307s pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 45,853 2005 Peugeot 307 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Peugeot 307?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2005 307 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,853 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.