Used car guide

2021 Peugeot Rifter: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Peugeot Rifters, from 1,559 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,559MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
4,600typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for wipers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Peugeot Rifters than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Wipers4.9× usual
    Peugeot Rifter
    18.6% All 2021 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.4%, against 2.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Headlights5.3× usual
    Peugeot Rifter
    2.1% All 2021 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Number plate lights3.5× usual
    Peugeot Rifter
    2.1% All 2021 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Washers2.3× usual
    Peugeot Rifter
    2.1% All 2021 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.9% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2021 Peugeot Rifter MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    21% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Brakes
    17% 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
    9% 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
    2% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    1% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,250Tyres 17%
20202,548Tyres 27%
20193,257Tyres 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Peugeot Rifters registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score