Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Peugeot 505?

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 1987 Peugeot 505?

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 1987 Peugeot 505?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Peugeot 505?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Peugeot 505 (1987)

167 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.7% first-time pass rate

1987 Peugeot 505

CarHunch analysed 167 real MOT records for the 1987 Peugeot 505. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 18.3% below UK average

61.7%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

132,338

typical mileage

103,169–158,987 middle half

12.6%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.47

avg MOT failures per car

over 3.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Peugeot 505

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 505

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (67%)	112	60.7%	1.5
Diesel (33%)	55	63.6%	1.42

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Peugeot 505 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.

103,169

low mileage

132,338

typical

158,987

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Peugeot 505 vehicles fall between 103,169 and 158,987 miles.

MOT History Averages

3.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.47

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Peugeot 505

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

18.8%

Oil leak
16.1%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
15.7%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
15%

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
14.3%

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split
12.3%

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
11.9%

Fuel pipe/s corroded
10.5%

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Peugeot 505?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Peugeot 505:

1986 1988 1989 1990 1991