Used car guide

2002 Peugeot 206: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Peugeot 206s, from 3,631 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,631MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,500typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Peugeot 206s than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Peugeot 206
    19.4% All 2002 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.5% of all 2002 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.

  • Sidelights2.2× usual
    Peugeot 206
    13.1% All 2002 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 5.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Brake lights2× usual
    Peugeot 206
    11.4% All 2002 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 4.6% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint1.8× usual
    Peugeot 206
    10.5% All 2002 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.5% of all 2002 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.

  • Side repeaters3.9× usual
    Peugeot 206
    5.9% All 2002 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 3.3% here, against 7% of all 2002 cars. Track rod ends: 2.7% here, against 5.8% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Peugeot 206 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    41% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% 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.

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%
20012,231Suspension 50%
2000856Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Peugeot 206s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score