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Peugeot 206 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Peugeot 206 car check

Is the Peugeot 206 reliable? We analysed 9,831,622 real MOT tests across 644,158 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 9,831,622 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
67.7%
Typical Mileage
65,066mi
Annual Mileage
5,510mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Peugeot 206 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, registration plate lamp not working and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot 206.

Peugeot 206 Specifications & Performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

Engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and tax data for the Peugeot 206. Sourced from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

Engine & Performance

Engine size
1360cc
Power
75 BHP
0–62 mph
12.2 sec
Fuel type
Petrol

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Car
Common colour
Silver
Wheel plan
2 Axle Rigid Body

Fuel Economy

Combined
44.8 mpg
Urban
33.6 mpg
Extra-urban
56.5 mpg
Fuel cost / 12k mi
£2028

Tax & Emissions

CO2 output
149 g/km Band F
Emission class
Not Available
Road tax (12 mo.)
£160
Road tax (6 mo.)
£88

Sources: DVLA vehicle register · DVSA fuel-economy database · VCA emissions data. Specifications reflect a representative Peugeot 206 record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

Peugeot 206 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Peugeot 206. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Peugeot 206 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Peugeot 206 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66.7%
2014
76%
2011
71.6%
2010
73.8%
2009
73.9%
2008
73.4%
2007
71.5%
2006
70.5%
2005
70%
2004
68.8%
2003
67%
2002
66.3%
2001
64%
2000
62.2%
1999
61%
1998
65.2%
1997
57.4%
1996

Peugeot 206 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Peugeot 206 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 446,851
Registration plate lamp not working 342,991
position lamp(s) not working 334,912
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 262,537
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 219,688
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 197,618
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 192,653
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 184,790
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 179,840
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized 171,634

Peugeot 206 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Peugeot 206 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,224 mi/yr
Typical
5,510 mi/yr
Average
6,449 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,492 mi/yr

Peugeot 206 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot 206 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2014 54 66.7% 53,598 65,954 73,438
2011 183 76.0% 35,129 56,539 80,285
2010 770 71.6% 41,238 63,477 88,150
2009 20,013 73.8% 34,934 54,621 78,382
2008 50,428 73.9% 31,966 52,458 76,983
2007 143,814 73.4% 32,462 52,124 74,792
2006 541,436 71.5% 37,860 58,795 82,658
2005 1,077,291 70.5% 38,848 59,821 83,710
2004 1,427,040 70.0% 39,421 60,701 84,993
2003 1,622,310 68.8% 40,590 62,409 87,111
2002 1,689,970 67.0% 44,424 65,592 89,501
2001 1,420,531 66.3% 47,522 67,765 90,487
2000 1,056,099 64.0% 51,909 71,624 93,604
1999 669,501 62.2% 56,340 75,662 96,632
1998 109,350 61.0% 58,646 77,978 99,106
1997 138 65.2% 64,628 86,118 108,224
1996 54 57.4% 102,183 128,140 150,400

How Long Does a Peugeot 206 Last?

Based on 644,158 Peugeot 206 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.3 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Peugeot 206 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot 206 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
65,066 mi
75th Percentile
88,691 mi
95th Percentile
127,561 mi
Max Recorded
1,153,154 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Peugeot 206

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2011

76.0% MOT pass rate from 183 tests

Year to avoid
1996

57.4% MOT pass rate from 54 tests

The best year to buy a used Peugeot 206 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.0% across 183 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 57.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Peugeot 206 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Peugeot 206 THIS CAR 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
Peugeot 306 65.4% 3,183,877 96,765 mi 33 yrs
Nissan Micra 71.4% 10,566,512 55,214 mi 37 yrs

Compared to the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate) and the Peugeot 207 (70.9% pass rate), the Peugeot 206 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Peugeot 206?

The Peugeot 206 has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.7% across 9,831,622 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Peugeot 206 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (446,851 recorded failures), registration plate lamp not working (342,991), and position lamp(s) not working (334,912). 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 206 owner drives around 5,510 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 206 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.

Peugeot 206 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Peugeot 206 reliable?
Based on 9,831,622 MOT tests, the Peugeot 206 has a 67.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Peugeot 206?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, registration plate lamp not working, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Peugeot 206 do per year?
The typical Peugeot 206 does around 5,510 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Peugeot 206 last?
Most Peugeot 206 models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 644,158 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Peugeot 206?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Peugeot 206?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Peugeot 206 is 2011 with a 76.0% pass rate across 183 tests.