Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Peugeot 106?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Peugeot 106?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Peugeot 106?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2003 Peugeot 106 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2003 Peugeot 106 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 6,528 vehicles, the 2003 Peugeot 106 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Peugeot 106?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Peugeot 106 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (71.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.3% of vehicles), Oil leak (53.5% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Peugeot 106?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Peugeot 106 (2003)

6,528 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.7% first-time pass rate

2003 Peugeot 106

CarHunch analysed 6,528 real MOT records for the 2003 Peugeot 106. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2003 Peugeot 106 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.7%, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly three in ten examples have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a meaningful concern for used buyers eyeing this 20-year-old city car. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly (both around 72%), so fuel type won't be a deciding factor in reliability.

These cars are averaging 56,584 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but the 4.64 failures per test and 11.5 advisories per vehicle tell you they need regular attention to stay roadworthy. Before purchasing, get a pre-buy inspection focused on brake systems, suspension, and exhaust components—the most likely culprits in MOT failures on this generation—and factor in modest but consistent maintenance costs.

The 2003 Peugeot 106 has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.7% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

71.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

28.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.64

Over 15.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

54k

Middle half: 41k–69k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 11.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 6,528 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 6,528 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 71.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 53.5%

Oil leak

Exhaust & emissions 36.8%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive

Brake wear 31.8%

Brakes imbalanced across an axle · Service brake: efficiency below requirements · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Wipers & washers 30.2%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid · Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Lighting 23.8%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Nearside Stop lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 6,528 Peugeot 106 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Peugeot 106

Based on MOT data from 6,528 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 28.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	6,309	71.6%	4.64
Diesel (3%)	219	72.6%	4.61

Colour Breakdown

Based on 319,088 Peugeot 106 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 31.7%

101,223

Red 24.4%

78,017

Silver 15.7%

50,174

Green 14.1%

45,093

White 8%

25,566

Black 1.8%

5,786

Orange 1.4%

4,496

Yellow 1.2%

3,980

Grey 1.2%

3,954

Gold 0.1%

411

Purple 0.1%

246

Beige 0%

142

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Peugeot 106 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

54,454

typical

40,712

low mileage

69,366

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Peugeot 106 vehicles fall between 40,712 and 69,366 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 40,712 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 40,712–69,366 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Peugeot 106s sit.

⚠ Over 93,644 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Peugeot 106 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 10% of 2003 Peugeot 106s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 465 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.64

Avg failures per vehicle

11.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Peugeot 106: All 106 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Peugeot 106 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on