Peugeot 206 (2004)
2004 Peugeot 206
CarHunch analysed 85,754 real MOT records for the 2004 Peugeot 206. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Peugeot 206 passes its MOT first time in only 71.1% of cases, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and a worrying 33.2% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a serious red flag for any potential buyer. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 71.5% pass rate versus 69.5% for diesels, but both are well below acceptable reliability thresholds.
At nearly 64,000 miles on average, these 20-year-old cars show their age through an average of nearly 5 failures and almost 20 advisories per test, suggesting widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated issues. Before purchasing one, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection and detailed MOT history going back several years—the high failure and dangerous defect rates mean mechanical surprises are more likely than not.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2004 Peugeot 206
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 33.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Peugeot 206
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (82%) | 70,307 | 71.5% | 4.9 |
| Diesel (18%) | 15,423 | 69.5% | 5.31 |
| Other (0%) | 11 | 78.8% | 1.45 |
| LPG (0%) | 8 | 72.2% | 3.88 |
| Electric (0%) | 3 | 64.1% | 6 |
| LNG (0%) | 1 | 68.8% | 5 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 60% | 8 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Peugeot 206 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Peugeot 206 vehicles fall between 45,559 and 71,436 miles.
2004 Peugeot 206 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 6,786 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 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Peugeot 206
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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83.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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74.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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38.3%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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36.7%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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33.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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31.6%
Oil leak
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28.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Peugeot 206?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.