Used car guide · 1998–2009

Peugeot 206 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Peugeot 206, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 137,181 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

137,181MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
67,440on the UK register
5known faults across all years
2007best year at its MOT

Pick the year

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).

200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

What usually goes wrong with a Peugeot 206?

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.

  • Recalls: brake pedal, seatbelt mount, spoiler, wiring

    Cars registered 1999–2009 · All versions

    Recalls covered a faulty brake pedal and a front right seatbelt mount (all versions), a sticking ignition key, a rear spoiler that could come off (built to Oct 2003), starter wiring that could short (mid-2004), wipers (2005 to 2006) and fuel leaks.

    At the viewing: Ask a Peugeot dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Haynes: how to buy a Peugeot 206 (2002-09)

  • Automatic gearbox problems

    Cars registered 1999–2009 · Automatic

    Automatics can leak oil, slip in first and second, change snatchily or go into limp mode.

    At the viewing: Drive it from cold and feel for slipping or harsh changes.

    Source: Haynes: how to buy a Peugeot 206 (2002-09)

  • Running problems

    Cars registered 1999–2009 · All engines

    Power loss, cut-outs and an uneven idle are common, and turbos can fail.

    At the viewing: Let it idle and drive it properly, and look for smoke.

    Source: Haynes: how to buy a Peugeot 206 (2002-09)

  • Particulate filter problems (diesel)

    Cars registered 1999–2009 · Diesel

    Diesels with a particulate filter cause many problems.

    At the viewing: Look for smoke and warning lights, and ask about DPF work.

    Source: Haynes: how to buy a Peugeot 206 (2002-09)

  • Central locking and airbag light

    Cars registered 1999–2009 · All versions

    The central locking control unit can lose its settings, and the airbag light can come on from a faulty passenger pre-tensioner.

    At the viewing: Test the locking and make sure the airbag light goes out.

    Source: Haynes: how to buy a Peugeot 206 (2002-09)

Common Peugeot 206 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 system

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 11.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Load sensing valves

    up to 12.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

Diesel

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 5.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Load sensing valves

    up to 17× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

Peugeot 206 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 Peugeot 206 did best (56% passed first time, 1 point below all 2007 cars) and the 2009 did worst (52%, 7 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200952%59% -71,781
200854%57% -33,709
200756%57% -18,241
200653%56% -319,741
200554%57% -326,924
200453%57% -427,915
200351%57% -619,881
200250%58% -814,550
200151%60% -99,048
200050%61% -113,569
199949%63% -141,625
199845%65% -20197 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Peugeot 206

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

  1. Have the brake pedal and seatbelt mount recalls been done?
  2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Peugeot 206 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Peugeot 206 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 10.6× as often on the Peugeot 206 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 206?

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