Peugeot Rifter common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Peugeot Rifter?

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 2018–2026 · 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 Rifter MOT failures to check

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

• Wipers

  up to 4.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

• Individual direction indicators

  up to 13× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints

  up to 4.4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

  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.

• Headlights

  up to 3.5× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

  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 lights

  up to 2.4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Peugeot Rifter MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Peugeot Rifter did best (81% passed first time, 2 points below all 2018 cars) and the 2021 did worst (80%, 7 points below all 2021 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Peugeot Rifter

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 wipers? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the Peugeot Rifter as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 13× as often on the Peugeot Rifter as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the Peugeot Rifter as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?