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.

Is the 1988 Peugeot 505 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 223 vehicles, the 1988 Peugeot 505 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 61%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1988 Peugeot 505?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1988 Peugeot 505 are: Oil leak (18.8% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (16.1% of vehicles), Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (15.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

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. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1988 Peugeot 505 is a genuinely tough MOT prospect, with a first-time pass rate of 61%—a full 19 percentage points below the UK average of 80%. While dangerous defects aren't endemic (12.6% have ever had one), these cars are clearly ageing poorly and will need patience and money to get through testing.

At 140,595 miles median, these are well-travelled examples, yet they're still generating an average of 1.63 failures per test, suggesting mechanical fragility rather than just natural wear. If you're considering one, budget for multiple visits to your mechanic before MOT day and expect an average of 4.3 advisory items flagged—typically suspension, brakes, and corrosion issues on cars this age.

We have limited data for the 1988 Peugeot 505 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

61%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

12.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.63

Over 4.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

141k

Middle half: 114k–167k

For context

These stats describe 223 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 223 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 18.8%

Oil leak · Fuel pipe/s corroded

Brake wear 16.1%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 15.7%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive · Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Suspension & steering 14.3%

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split · Offside Steering rack gaiter split · Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Tyre wear 10.5%

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Seat belts 9.4%

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 223 Peugeot 505 cars.

Before you buy a 1988 Peugeot 505

Based on MOT data from 223 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.6% 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 (66%)	148	59.7%	1.57
Diesel (34%)	75	63.6%	1.73

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,446 Peugeot 505 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 29.7%

430

Grey 17.6%

255

Red 13.6%

196

Silver 10.6%

153

Beige 9.3%

135

White 9.3%

135

Maroon 4.1%

Black 2.1%

Green 1.8%

Gold 1.2%

Brown 0.3%

Cream 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Peugeot 505 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

140,595

typical

114,146

low mileage

167,169

high mileage

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

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 114,146 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 114,146–167,169 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1988 Peugeot 505s sit.

⚠ Over 225,678 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

4.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.63

Avg failures per vehicle

4.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Peugeot 505: All 505 years → Which year to buy? →

1986 1987 1989 1990 1991

Or browse all models: Peugeot →

Compare with another model

See how the 1988 Peugeot 505 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on