Peugeot 206 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Peugeot 206 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 57,657 UK MOT tests of the Peugeot 206 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt): recorded on 7.3% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 5.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: catalyst emissions (Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits) (5.3×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (4.6×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Peugeot 206 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); stop lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Peugeot 206
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Peugeot 206 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 7.3% | 1.4% | 5.2× | 564 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | MOT fail | 1998–2000 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 10% | 1.9% | 5.3× | 454 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 11% | 2.3% | 4.6× | 608 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6% | 1.3% | 4.6× | 431 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 9.4% | 2.6% | 3.6× | 1,364 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 1998–2000 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 11% | 2.7% | 4.2× | 430 |
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 1998–2000 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 8.6% | 2.3% | 3.7× | 454 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2000–2002 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9.2% | 3.7% | 2.5× | 2,643 |
Peugeot 206 by mileage (2004–2006 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 2,039 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (17%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (4.6%, 2.2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5,108 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (17%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (12%, 2×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 7,437 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (16%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (16%, 1.8×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7,179 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (20%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (20%, 1.7×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4,757 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (20%) | — |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 2,683 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (21%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (8.6%, 1.5×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 1,157 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play (7.7%, 2×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 892 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (25%) | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play (8%, 2×) |
Peugeot 206 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 686 | Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.3×) |
| 2000 | 1,483 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.9×) |
| 2001 | 3,543 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.6×) |
| 2002 | 6,190 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.6×) |
| 2003 | 8,561 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.1×) |
| 2004 | 11,788 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.6×) |
| 2005 | 11,452 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.2×) |
| 2006 | 8,252 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.4×) |
| 2007 | 3,377 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3×) |
| 2008 | 1,495 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.6×) |
| 2009 | 695 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.2×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Peugeot 206?
In 57,657 UK MOT tests of the Peugeot 206 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt): recorded on 7.3% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 5.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: catalyst emissions (Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits) (5.3×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (4.6×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Peugeot 206 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); stop lamp (not working).
Why do Peugeot 206s fail the MOT?
Across 57,657 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Peugeot 206 were position lamp (not working) (8.6% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6.6% of tests); stop lamp (not working) (7.3% of tests).
At what mileage do Peugeot 206 problems start?
The clearest Peugeot 206-specific issue, linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2008–2010 cars (7.3% of tests vs 1.4% for all cars that age).
Where does this Peugeot 206 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 57,657 tests of the Peugeot 206. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.