2012 Peugeot Rcz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,588 MOT tests, the 2012 Peugeot Rcz recorded a 77.4% pass rate. That is 6.4 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 16.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.6%) and suspension (9.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and headlamp — coil spring alone was recorded 934 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.5% in the 0-30k band and 25.8% in the 150k+ band, a 14.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (24.1% vs 21.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 1,454 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.4% | 1,187 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.6% | 707 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.4% | 552 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 545 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 475 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 934 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 676 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 638 |
| 4 | Joints | 463 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 455 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 383 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.8% | 3,627 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.7% | 2,987 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.0% | 1,757 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 1,308 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 1,291 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.8% | 728 |
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 | 530 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 4,108 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,266 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,042 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 485 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 155 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,988 | 21.6% |
| Diesel | 4,600 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,613 | 20.2% |
| 2022 | 2,590 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 2,613 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 2,420 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 2,352 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Rcz
On a 2012 Rcz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.4% 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.
- Tyres (5.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2012 Peugeot Rczs pass their MOT?
77.4% of the 12,588 2012 Peugeot Rcz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Peugeot Rcz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.4%).
Does the 2012 Rcz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,588 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.