CarVerify

Peugeot 504 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Peugeot 504 car check

Is the Peugeot 504 reliable? We analysed 5,555 real MOT tests across 996 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Peugeot 504? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 5,555 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.7%
Typical Mileage
82,322mi
Annual Mileage
1,405mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
54yrs

The Peugeot 504 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot 504.

Peugeot 504 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Peugeot 504. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Peugeot 504 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Peugeot 504 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

62.3%
2001
76.5%
2000
79.7%
1999
58%
1994
60.1%
1993
56.9%
1992
59%
1991
65.9%
1990
65.8%
1989
62.1%
1988
70.6%
1987
61.2%
1986
65.5%
1985
62.2%
1984
66.8%
1983
76.7%
1982
67%
1980
75.6%
1979
83.1%
1977
80%
1975

Peugeot 504 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Peugeot 504 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 660
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 481
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 440
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 405
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 325
fog lamp not working 247
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 239
Steering rack gaiter split 223
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 219
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 198

Peugeot 504 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Peugeot 504 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
482 mi/yr
Typical
1,405 mi/yr
Average
2,896 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,311 mi/yr

Peugeot 504 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot 504 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2001 77 62.3% 14,046 20,115 44,274
2000 68 76.5% 11,822 13,748 20,965
1999 59 79.7% 5,837 13,438 23,322
1994 88 58.0% 70,772 98,926 111,639
1993 747 60.1% 71,907 97,402 127,248
1992 510 56.9% 78,108 98,526 134,962
1991 402 59.0% 70,642 97,477 128,180
1990 443 65.9% 74,806 94,708 120,837
1989 538 65.8% 62,124 101,886 133,626
1988 478 62.1% 58,167 85,346 106,183
1987 214 70.6% 78,019 109,803 134,568
1986 129 61.2% 49,816 72,306 137,920
1985 113 65.5% 44,845 59,225 118,650
1984 74 62.2% 51,706 68,318 101,522
1983 193 66.8% 52,429 67,745 79,938
1982 86 76.7% 76,726 133,402 182,212
1980 94 67.0% 52,944 76,980 121,408
1979 123 75.6% 54,609 87,651 104,452
1977 89 83.1% 34,572 50,201 64,533
1975 60 80.0% 40,522 53,062 73,690

How Long Does a Peugeot 504 Last?

Based on 996 Peugeot 504 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
21.3 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
54 years

Peugeot 504 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot 504 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
82,322 mi
75th Percentile
115,612 mi
95th Percentile
179,352 mi
Max Recorded
923,542 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Peugeot 504

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

Best year
1977

83.1% MOT pass rate from 89 tests

Year to avoid
1992

56.9% MOT pass rate from 510 tests

The best year to buy a used Peugeot 504 is 1977, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.1% across 89 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Peugeot 504 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Peugeot 504 THIS CAR 65.7% 5,555 82,322 mi 54 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
Fiat Tribute 87.2% 4,291 26,538 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Peugeot 206 (67.7% pass rate) and the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate), the Peugeot 504 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Peugeot 504 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 504

Should you buy a used Peugeot 504?

The Peugeot 504 has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.7% across 5,555 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Peugeot 504 are suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (660 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (481), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (440). 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 504 owner drives around 1,405 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 504 models stay on UK roads for around 54 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 504 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Peugeot 504 reliable?
Based on 5,555 MOT tests, the Peugeot 504 has a 65.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Peugeot 504?
The most common MOT failures are suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Peugeot 504 do per year?
The typical Peugeot 504 does around 1,405 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Peugeot 504 last?
Most Peugeot 504 models stay on UK roads for around 54 years based on our analysis of 996 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Peugeot 504?
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 504?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Peugeot 504 is 1977 with a 83.1% pass rate across 89 tests.