1997 Peugeot Expert — MOT failures & pass rate
328 MOT tests on the 1997 Peugeot Expert are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.6%, so the 1997 Expert sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (12.5%) and lighting & signalling (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, joints and service brake performance — wipers alone was recorded 28 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1997 Expert fails 25.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 28.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.5% | 41 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 40 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 37 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.0% | 36 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.2% | 30 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 28 |
| 2 | Joints | 26 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 20 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 16 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 15 |
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 | 37.5% | 123 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 36.9% | 121 |
| 3 | Suspension | 33.2% | 109 |
| 4 | Tyres | 31.7% | 104 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.8% | 65 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 56 |
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 | 31 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 41 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 110 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 132 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 104 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 82 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 54 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 51 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 37 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Expert
On a 1997 Expert, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (12.5% 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.
- 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.3% 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 1997 Peugeot Experts pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 328 1997 Peugeot Expert MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Peugeot Expert?
Brakes, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.2%).
Does the 1997 Expert get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 60-90k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 328 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.