Peugeot 505 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Peugeot 505 car check
Is the Peugeot 505 reliable? We analysed 7,025 real MOT tests across 1,448 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Peugeot 505? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Peugeot 505 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot 505.
Peugeot 505 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Peugeot 505. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Peugeot 505 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Peugeot 505 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Peugeot 505 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Peugeot 505 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Peugeot 505 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Peugeot 505 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Peugeot 505 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot 505 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1,247 | 64.2% | 117,146 | 141,412 | 167,934 |
| 1990 | 1,297 | 61.6% | 116,667 | 142,174 | 179,685 |
| 1989 | 1,407 | 64.7% | 109,261 | 144,614 | 175,932 |
| 1988 | 950 | 62.4% | 110,580 | 142,742 | 182,080 |
| 1987 | 654 | 61.9% | 95,956 | 128,181 | 167,151 |
| 1986 | 466 | 63.9% | 103,837 | 133,010 | 189,522 |
| 1985 | 451 | 69.4% | 111,130 | 141,939 | 182,703 |
| 1984 | 274 | 63.5% | 63,722 | 142,224 | 182,578 |
| 1983 | 71 | 69.0% | 42,325 | 61,533 | 64,670 |
How Long Does a Peugeot 505 Last?
Based on 1,448 Peugeot 505 vehicles on UK roads.
Peugeot 505 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot 505 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 505
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.4% MOT pass rate from 451 tests
61.6% MOT pass rate from 1,297 tests
The best year to buy a used Peugeot 505 is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.4% across 451 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Peugeot 505 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 505 THIS CAR | 63.8% | 7,025 | 140,298 mi | 43 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 |
| Honda Sh 125-4 | 81.8% | 2,580 | 14,054 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Peugeot 206 (67.7% pass rate) and the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate), the Peugeot 505 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Peugeot 505 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 505Should you buy a used Peugeot 505?
The Peugeot 505 has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.8% across 7,025 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Peugeot 505 are steering rack gaiter split (486 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (450), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (426). 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 505 owner drives around 2,702 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 505 models stay on UK roads for around 43 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.