Peugeot 304 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Peugeot 304 car check
Is the Peugeot 304 reliable? We analysed 1,700 real MOT tests across 228 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Peugeot 304? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Peugeot 304 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot 304.
Peugeot 304 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Peugeot 304. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Peugeot 304 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Peugeot 304 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Peugeot 304 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Peugeot 304 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Peugeot 304 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Peugeot 304 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Peugeot 304 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot 304 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 62 | 74.2% | 18,344 | 27,175 | 36,874 |
| 1975 | 349 | 64.5% | 41,095 | 56,198 | 77,999 |
| 1974 | 414 | 69.1% | 35,484 | 58,101 | 73,616 |
| 1973 | 366 | 71.0% | 29,903 | 68,377 | 80,222 |
| 1972 | 190 | 65.8% | 58,520 | 70,084 | 82,005 |
| 1971 | 76 | 69.7% | 48,933 | 54,761 | 89,243 |
How Long Does a Peugeot 304 Last?
Based on 228 Peugeot 304 vehicles on UK roads.
Peugeot 304 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot 304 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 304
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.2% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
64.5% MOT pass rate from 349 tests
The best year to buy a used Peugeot 304 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.2% across 62 tests. The 1975 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Peugeot 304 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 304 THIS CAR | 68.8% | 1,700 | 58,451 mi | 55 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 |
| Buell XB12X Ulysses | 89% | 1,915 | 14,749 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Peugeot 206 (67.7% pass rate) and the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate), the Peugeot 304 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Peugeot 304 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 304Should you buy a used Peugeot 304?
The Peugeot 304 has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.8% across 1,700 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Peugeot 304 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (111 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (100), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (97). 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 304 owner drives around 289 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 304 models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.