2011 Peugeot Bipper: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Peugeot Bipper?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Peugeot Bipper than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Shock absorbers2.3× usual
  Peugeot Bipper

  17.8% All 2011 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 1.9% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Windscreen3.1× usual
  Peugeot Bipper

  10.5% All 2011 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

• Headlights2.2× usual
  Peugeot Bipper

  12.8% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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 lights1.7× usual
  Peugeot Bipper

  14.1% All 2011 cars

  8.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.

• Sidelights1.7× usual
  Peugeot Bipper

  10.1% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 5.1% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Peugeot Bipper MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Peugeot Bipper MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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.

• Tyres
  41% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  40% 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
  25% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  19% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Peugeot Bipper

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

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Peugeot Bipper as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2011 Peugeot Bipper as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Peugeot Bipper as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?