1989 Peugeot 309 — MOT failures & pass rate
294 MOT tests on the 1989 Peugeot 309 are in this dataset, and 78.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (21.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.2%) and brakes (10.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, non catalyst emissions and service brake imbalance — service brake performance alone was recorded 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 10.5% once past 150k.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 23.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.0% in 2021 to 22.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 36 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 32 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 19 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.8% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 19 |
| 2 | Non catalyst emissions | 14 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 14 |
| 4 | Washers | 13 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 6 | Joints | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 23.8% | 70 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.4% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.4% | 54 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 47 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.5% | 25 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 22 |
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 | 49 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 91 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 61 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 10.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 61 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 65 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 50 | 16.0% |
| 2025 | 54 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 1989 309
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.5% 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 1989 Peugeot 309s pass their MOT?
78.2% of the 294 1989 Peugeot 309 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Peugeot 309?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by brakes (10.9%).
Does the 1989 309 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 30-60k band to 10.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 294 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.