Peugeot Zenith Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Peugeot Zenith car check
Is the Peugeot Zenith reliable? We analysed 4,023 real MOT tests across 859 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Peugeot Zenith? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Peugeot Zenith is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot Zenith.
Peugeot Zenith Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Peugeot Zenith. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Peugeot Zenith MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Peugeot Zenith to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Peugeot Zenith Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Peugeot Zenith fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Peugeot Zenith Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Peugeot Zenith owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Peugeot Zenith MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot Zenith year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 59 | 83.1% | 6,536 | 9,831 | 12,810 |
| 2001 | 96 | 75.0% | 6,548 | 13,588 | 24,435 |
| 2000 | 373 | 77.7% | 6,372 | 9,115 | 16,366 |
| 1999 | 1,077 | 76.1% | 6,064 | 11,308 | 17,446 |
| 1998 | 1,340 | 74.7% | 9,410 | 13,984 | 20,732 |
| 1997 | 694 | 74.5% | 8,628 | 12,958 | 18,157 |
| 1996 | 293 | 76.8% | 6,468 | 13,739 | 20,994 |
How Long Does a Peugeot Zenith Last?
Based on 859 Peugeot Zenith vehicles on UK roads.
Peugeot Zenith Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot Zenith 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 Zenith
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.1% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
74.5% MOT pass rate from 694 tests
The best year to buy a used Peugeot Zenith is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.1% across 59 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Peugeot Zenith Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot Zenith THIS CAR | 75.8% | 4,023 | 12,597 mi | 30 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 |
| Proton Wira Lxi | 67.1% | 1,499 | 55,731 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Peugeot 206 (67.7% pass rate) and the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate), the Peugeot Zenith outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Peugeot Zenith 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 ZenithShould you buy a used Peugeot Zenith?
The Peugeot Zenith has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.8% across 4,023 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Peugeot Zenith are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (158 recorded failures), shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. (109), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (91). 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 Zenith owner drives around 655 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 Zenith models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.