Used car guide

2000 Peugeot 306: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Peugeot 306s, from 891 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

891MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
4,200typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for steering rack

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Peugeot 306s than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Steering rack3.5× usual
    Peugeot 306
    7.6% All 2000 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Peugeot 306
    9.8% All 2000 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
    Peugeot 306
    5.3% All 2000 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, 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.

  • Side repeaters2.5× usual
    Peugeot 306
    3.7% All 2000 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.8% of all 2000 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

Headlights: 2.5% here, against 7.4% of all 2000 cars. Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 3.7% here, against 8.2% of all 2000 cars.

By area

The share of 2000 Peugeot 306 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    44% 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.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    26% 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
    22% 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
    21% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2001686Brakes 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Peugeot 306s registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score