Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Peugeot 206 S?

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 2004 Peugeot 206 S?

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 2004 Peugeot 206 S?

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.

Is the 2004 Peugeot 206 S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 539 vehicles, the 2004 Peugeot 206 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Peugeot 206 S?

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 206 S (2004)

539 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.9% first-time pass rate

2004 Peugeot 206 S

CarHunch analysed 539 real MOT records for the 2004 Peugeot 206 S. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Peugeot 206 S is a serious reliability concern: just 31% pass their MOT first time, less than half the UK average of 80%. The picture is even grimmer for petrol variants, which show a 0% first-time pass rate across 311 vehicles tested, though the smaller "Other" fuel cohort (likely LPG conversions) manages 78.2%—suggesting the petrol engine itself is the weak point here.

At nearly 100,000 miles on average, these cars are aging and tired, yet they're still accumulating 0.34 failures per test, indicating structural problems beyond normal wear. If you're considering a petrol 206 S from 2004, budget for immediate remedial work and expect ongoing costs; the fuel type matters enormously, so verify what you're actually buying before committing.

The 2004 Peugeot 206 S passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (76.9%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

76.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

0.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.34

Over 1.9 tests on record

Low

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

These stats describe 539 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 539 Peugeot 206 S cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Peugeot 206 S

Based on MOT data from 539 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0.2% 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 (58%)	311	—	0
Other (36%)	195	78.2%	0.81

Colour Breakdown

Based on 803 Peugeot 206 S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30%

241

Blue 26.5%

213

Black 21%

169

Red 11.1%

Grey 8.2%

Yellow 3.1%

2004 Peugeot 206 S — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 2004 Peugeot 206 Ss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

1.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.34

Avg failures per vehicle

0.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Peugeot 206 S: All 206 S years → Which year to buy? →

2005

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Average reliability — agree?