Used car guide

2001 Peugeot 306: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Peugeot 306s, from 686 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

686MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,400typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for side repeaters

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Peugeot 306s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Side repeaters3.6× usual
    Peugeot 306
    5.4% All 2001 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.8% of all 2001 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.

  • Steering rack2.9× usual
    Peugeot 306
    5.8% All 2001 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.2% of all 2001 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.

Better than most

Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 2.9% here, against 7.8% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Peugeot 306 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    48% 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
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2000891Brakes 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Peugeot 306s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score