Peugeot 504 (1990)
1990 Peugeot 504
CarHunch analysed 132 real MOT records for the 1990 Peugeot 504. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 Peugeot 504 is a challenging prospect on the used market, with a first-time pass rate of just 37% compared to the UK average of 80%—meaning roughly two in three of these cars fail their MOT. While dangerous defects affect 14.4% of them, the real issue is the sheer volume of work needed: these vehicles average 1.14 failures and 4.3 advisories per test, indicating widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems.
At an average mileage of 110,055 miles, these cars are well-used survivors from three decades ago, so some deterioration is inevitable. However, the pattern of frequent advisories suggests that unless a 504 has had exceptional maintenance throughout its life, you should budget for significant repairs and factor in regular re-testing costs before buying one. Have a pre-purchase inspection done by a specialist familiar with 1980s Peugeots, not a general mechanic.
What to check before buying a 1990 Peugeot 504
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.
- 📄 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 504
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (59%) | 78 | 56.9% | 1.62 |
| Petrol (41%) | 54 | 8.6% | 0.46 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 Peugeot 504 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 1990 Peugeot 504 vehicles fall between 83,815 and 122,083 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 Peugeot 504
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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46.4%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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43%
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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37.6%
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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21.1%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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17.7%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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16.9%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.2%
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split
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15.2%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Peugeot 504?
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