Peugeot 205 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Peugeot 205 car check
Is the Peugeot 205 reliable? We analysed 591,894 real MOT tests across 102,651 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Peugeot 205? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Peugeot 205 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, constant velocity joint gaiter split and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot 205.
Peugeot 205 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Peugeot 205. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Peugeot 205 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Peugeot 205 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Peugeot 205 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Peugeot 205 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Peugeot 205 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Peugeot 205 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Peugeot 205 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot 205 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 54 | 63.0% | 43,673 | 61,892 | 79,691 |
| 1998 | 94 | 58.5% | 94,479 | 116,914 | 148,525 |
| 1997 | 109 | 66.1% | 102,452 | 122,627 | 154,204 |
| 1996 | 19,956 | 64.6% | 67,508 | 92,095 | 119,022 |
| 1995 | 50,679 | 63.7% | 67,911 | 92,624 | 119,314 |
| 1994 | 51,905 | 63.5% | 70,897 | 99,408 | 129,998 |
| 1993 | 76,885 | 62.6% | 71,462 | 98,489 | 127,352 |
| 1992 | 90,979 | 63.0% | 74,621 | 101,336 | 130,053 |
| 1991 | 90,517 | 63.7% | 75,058 | 101,600 | 129,500 |
| 1990 | 79,212 | 64.6% | 75,281 | 101,760 | 128,747 |
| 1989 | 62,889 | 64.5% | 77,632 | 105,920 | 133,469 |
| 1988 | 37,051 | 65.2% | 76,820 | 105,469 | 132,504 |
| 1987 | 17,705 | 66.6% | 69,348 | 100,396 | 131,574 |
| 1986 | 8,312 | 66.9% | 64,787 | 93,936 | 121,205 |
| 1985 | 2,961 | 68.5% | 53,677 | 82,258 | 116,536 |
| 1984 | 1,693 | 68.6% | 51,729 | 82,634 | 113,964 |
| 1983 | 115 | 65.2% | 42,931 | 66,467 | 126,973 |
| 1971 | 237 | 59.1% | 91,878 | 122,530 | 139,808 |
How Long Does a Peugeot 205 Last?
Based on 102,651 Peugeot 205 vehicles on UK roads.
Peugeot 205 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot 205 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Peugeot 205
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.6% MOT pass rate from 1,693 tests
58.5% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used Peugeot 205 is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.6% across 1,693 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Peugeot 205 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 205 THIS CAR | 63.9% | 591,894 | 100,253 mi | 40 yrs |
| Peugeot 206 | 67.7% | 9,831,622 | 65,066 mi | 28 yrs |
| Peugeot 307 | 67.5% | 5,095,133 | 73,548 mi | 25 yrs |
| Peugeot 207 | 70.9% | 4,554,199 | 59,259 mi | 20 yrs |
| Volvo V50 | 72.8% | 920,660 | 94,586 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Peugeot 206 (67.7% pass rate) and the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate), the Peugeot 205 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Peugeot 205 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Peugeot 205Should you buy a used Peugeot 205?
The Peugeot 205 has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.9% across 591,894 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Peugeot 205 are brake pipe excessively corroded (43,839 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (30,509), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (29,342). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Peugeot 205 owner drives around 3,166 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Peugeot 205 models stay on UK roads for around 40 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.