1998 Peugeot Boxer — MOT failures & pass rate
7,603 MOT tests on the 1998 Peugeot Boxer are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests against 11.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 858 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.2% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 6.3-point spread.
The diesel cars hold up better: 28.0% fail against 32.4% for petrol, a 4.5-point gap across 7,598 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.7% 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 | 16.6% | 1,259 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 893 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 810 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 802 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.2% | 697 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 271 |
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 | 858 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 605 |
| 3 | Wipers | 502 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 491 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 453 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 400 |
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 | 39.7% | 3,017 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.8% | 2,568 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 1,703 |
| 4 | Tyres | 13.1% | 998 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 755 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 753 |
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 | 221 | 26.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,197 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,013 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 908 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 178 | 39.3% |
| 150k+ | 83 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,807 | 28.0% |
| Petrol | 1,791 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,609 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 1,592 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 1,538 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 1,467 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 1,397 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Boxer
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.8% 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 (10.7% 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.
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 1998 Peugeot Boxers pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 7,603 1998 Peugeot Boxer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Peugeot Boxer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by brakes (11.8%).
Does the 1998 Boxer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,603 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.