2003 Peugeot 607 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 345 MOT tests, the 2003 Peugeot 607 recorded a 69.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 607 comes out 2.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.4%) and suspension (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.6% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 40.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 40.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 53 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 49 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.6% | 47 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.7% | 30 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 26 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.0% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 2 | Wipers | 18 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 18 |
| 4 | Side repeaters | 17 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 17 |
| 6 | Washers | 17 |
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 | 37.4% | 129 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.7% | 99 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 93 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 55 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 45 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.5% | 43 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 69 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 118 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 57 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 77 | 40.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 285 | 29.8% |
| Petrol | 60 | 33.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 120 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 88 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 62 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 40 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 35 | 40.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 607
On a 2003 607, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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.
- Brakes (13.6% 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.
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 2003 Peugeot 607s pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 345 2003 Peugeot 607 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Peugeot 607?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2003 607 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.6% in the 60-90k band to 40.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 345 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.