Used car guide

2000 Peugeot 206: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Peugeot 206s, from 856 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

856MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
2,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Peugeot 206s than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Peugeot 206
    19.7% All 2000 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.2× usual
    Peugeot 206
    13.8% All 2000 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.8%, against 4.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.8× usual
    Peugeot 206
    8.8% All 2000 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.7% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Peugeot 206
    11.8% All 2000 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Flexible brake hoses2× usual
    Peugeot 206
    12.4% All 2000 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

By area

The share of 2000 Peugeot 206 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    42% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    29% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Peugeot 206?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008997Suspension 49%
20072,184Suspension 44%
20065,011Suspension 48%
20056,657Suspension 50%
20047,049Suspension 48%
20034,901Suspension 46%
20023,631Lights and electrics 45%
20012,231Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Peugeot 206s registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score