Used car guide

2012 Peugeot RCZ: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Peugeot RCZs, from 1,846 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,846MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Peugeot RCZs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Peugeot RCZ
    14.4% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Brake lights2.5× usual
    Peugeot RCZ
    9.4% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Engine warning light2.1× usual
    Peugeot RCZ
    3.7% All 2012 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2012 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)2.5× usual
    Peugeot RCZ
    2.7% All 2012 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.5% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 2.3% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Peugeot RCZ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    30% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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
    7% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,068Tyres 29%
20141,570Tyres 31%
20132,006Tyres 34%
20112,244Tyres 35%
20101,361Tyres 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Peugeot RCZs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score