Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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.

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Peugeot 505 (1988)

223 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61% first-time pass rate

1988 Peugeot 505

CarHunch analysed 223 real MOT records for the 1988 Peugeot 505. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 19% below UK average

61%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

140,595

typical mileage

114,146–167,169 middle half

12.6%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.63

avg MOT failures per car

over 4.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 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 (66%)	148	59.7%	1.57
Diesel (34%)	75	63.6%	1.73

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 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.

114,146

low mileage

140,595

typical

167,169

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Peugeot 505 vehicles fall between 114,146 and 167,169 miles.

MOT History Averages

4.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.63

Avg failures per vehicle

4.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 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 Brake pipe slightly corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. 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 1987 1989 1990 1991