Used car guide · 1984–1996

Peugeot 205 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Peugeot 205, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 7,001 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1988 Peugeot 205

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. 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 205 as a whole.

1,394on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 1988 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).

1996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984

What usually goes wrong with a Peugeot 205?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Peugeot 205 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Peugeot 205 MOT failures to check

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994.

    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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1990 and 1994.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1992 and 1994.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Washers

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1993 and 1994.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Horn

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1990 and 1991.

    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.

Peugeot 205 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
199651%66% -15242 (small sample)
199559%67% -8475 (small sample)
199460%67% -7542
199365%68% -3918
199267%69% -21,262
199170%71% -11,660
199071%72% -11,902

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Peugeot 205

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

  1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Peugeot 205 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Peugeot 205 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Peugeot 205 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 205?

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