Used car guide

2011 Peugeot RCZ: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Peugeot RCZs, from 2,244 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,244MOT tests in 2025

61%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

5,800typical miles a year

2.4×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Peugeot RCZs than on all cars registered in 2011.

Engine oil leaks2.4× usual

Peugeot RCZ
21.6% All 2011 cars
8.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual

Peugeot RCZ
10.4% All 2011 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Brake lights2.1× usual

Peugeot RCZ
9.2% All 2011 cars
4.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 3.4% of all 2011 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.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.5× usual

Peugeot RCZ
3.8% All 2011 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2011 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.
Engine warning light2.2× usual

Peugeot RCZ
4.2% All 2011 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.9% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.5% here, against 7.6% of all 2011 cars. Exhaust system: 2.1% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Peugeot RCZ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

35% 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.
Suspension

33% 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

29% 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.
Lights and electrics

29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

23% 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.
Driveshafts and joints

10% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Peugeot RCZ?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2015	1,068	Tyres 29%
2014	1,570	Tyres 31%
2013	2,006	Tyres 34%
2012	1,846	Tyres 34%
2010	1,361	Tyres 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Peugeot RCZs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score