1997 Peugeot Boxer — MOT failures & pass rate
6,470 MOT tests on the 1997 Peugeot Boxer are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.6%, so the 1997 Boxer sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 836 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.5% in the 0-30k band and 36.8% in the 150k+ band, a 21.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 3.4pp more often than diesel ones (31.5% vs 28.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 1,061 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 784 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 726 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 701 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.0% | 585 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 294 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 836 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 471 |
| 3 | Wipers | 431 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 427 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 420 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 338 |
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 | 41.8% | 2,706 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.9% | 2,258 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 1,418 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 818 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.4% | 800 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 655 |
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 | 129 | 15.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,271 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,901 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 919 | 32.2% |
| 120-150k | 181 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,693 | 28.0% |
| Petrol | 1,777 | 31.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,385 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 1,364 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 1,302 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 1,248 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 1,171 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Boxer
On a 1997 Boxer, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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.
- Suspension (11.2% 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.
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 1997 Peugeot Boxers pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 6,470 1997 Peugeot Boxer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Peugeot Boxer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 1997 Boxer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,470 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.