Used car guide · 1991–2024

Peugeot 106 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Peugeot 106, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 15,143 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1991 Peugeot 106

Too few Peugeot 106 cars first registered in 1991 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Peugeot 106 as a whole.

25on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1991 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202420232003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991

What usually goes wrong with a Peugeot 106?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

    Cars registered 2023–2024 · 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

    The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

    Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Common Peugeot 106 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

  • Brakes pulling to one side

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 2000 and 2002.

    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.

  • Horn

    up to 6.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2001.

    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 rack

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2001.

    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.

Peugeot 106 MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200357%57% +01,779
200253%58% -53,157
200154%60% -62,838
200053%61% -81,514
199956%63% -7664
199861%65% -41,813
199758%65% -71,444
199655%66% -11630
199562%67% -5472 (small sample)
199463%67% -4451 (small sample)
199360%68% -8210 (small sample)
199264%69% -5171 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Peugeot 106

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
  2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Peugeot 106 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Peugeot 106 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Peugeot 106 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 106?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score