2003 Peugeot 807 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 732 MOT tests, the 2003 Peugeot 807 recorded a 66.1% pass rate. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.1%) and body, structure & corrosion (17.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — joints alone was recorded 71 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.5% in the 30-60k band and 33.9% in the 150k+ band, a 6.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 36.1% in 2021 to 26.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 147 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 128 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.4% | 120 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.6% | 92 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.6% | 63 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 71 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 60 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 53 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 52 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 49 |
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 | 30.9% | 226 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 190 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 182 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 148 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.5% | 143 |
| 6 | Other defects | 19.0% | 139 |
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 | 40 | 27.5% |
| 60-90k | 131 | 34.4% |
| 90-120k | 230 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 194 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 130 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 508 | 33.9% |
| Petrol | 224 | 33.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 274 | 36.1% |
| 2022 | 191 | 34.0% |
| 2023 | 136 | 33.8% |
| 2024 | 78 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 53 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 807
On a 2003 807, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (17.5% 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+.
- Suspension (16.4% 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 2003 Peugeot 807s pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 732 2003 Peugeot 807 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Peugeot 807?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (17.5%).
Does the 2003 807 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.5% in the 30-60k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 732 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.