2004 Peugeot 206 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 82,593 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Peugeot 206, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.9% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.8% in the 150k+ group versus 13.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 15,737 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 11,799 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 8,042 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 6,632 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 5,727 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 5,370 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 6,124 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 5,709 |
| 3 | Wipers | 4,363 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 4,228 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 3,966 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 3,584 |
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 | 33.1% | 27,350 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.4% | 25,140 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.8% | 24,638 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 15,266 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 15,226 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.5% | 12,773 |
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 | 2,070 | 13.7% |
| 30-60k | 15,551 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 29,399 | 28.9% |
| 90-120k | 22,142 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 9,619 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,717 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 68,249 | 28.6% |
| Diesel | 14,343 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,891 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 19,875 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 15,574 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 12,064 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 9,189 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 206
Before buying a 2004 Peugeot 206, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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.
- Brakes (9.7% 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.
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 2004 Peugeot 206s pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 82,593 2004 Peugeot 206 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Peugeot 206?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2004 206 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 82,593 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.