Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1997 Peugeot Squab?

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 1997 Peugeot Squab?

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 1997 Peugeot Squab?

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 1997 Peugeot Squab reliable?

Based on MOT data from 264 vehicles, the 1997 Peugeot Squab has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1997 Peugeot Squab?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1997 Peugeot Squab are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (33.3% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (19.5% of vehicles), Steering headbearing has slight free play (16.3% 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 1997 Peugeot Squab?

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 Squab (1997)

264 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.4% first-time pass rate

1997 Peugeot Squab

CarHunch analysed 264 real MOT records for the 1997 Peugeot Squab. 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 Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1997 Peugeot Squab has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 29.6%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals serious reliability concerns for a vehicle of this age. Dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 4.2%, but the sheer failure rate means most examples will need work before they're roadworthy.

These cars are running at very low mileage—a median of 14,057 miles—which suggests they've been lightly used rather than worn out, yet they still fail MOTs at three times the national average. The 0.45 average failures and 0.8 advisories per vehicle point to persistent issues with routine wear items and minor defects that haven't been maintained. Before viewing one, budget for immediate repairs and ask the seller for a full MOT history; this model needs hands-on inspection and realistic cost planning.

We have limited data for the 1997 Peugeot Squab — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

77.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

4.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.45

Over 2.4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

14k

Middle half: 8k–19k

For context

These stats describe 264 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 264 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 33.3%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread not clearly visible

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

Brake wear 16.3%

Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · …

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

Suspension & steering 16.3%

Steering headbearing has slight free play · Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect · Front suspension assembly has slight free play between the sliding members · …

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

Lighting 13%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam · Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 264 Peugeot Squab cars.

Before you buy a 1997 Peugeot Squab

Based on MOT data from 264 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 4.2% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 419 Peugeot Squab vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 34.1%

143

Blue 30.8%

129

Red 26.5%

111

Green 7.4%

Silver 1.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Peugeot Squab 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.

14,057

typical

8,487

low mileage

19,179

high mileage

Half of all 1997 Peugeot Squab vehicles fall between 8,487 and 19,179 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 8,487 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.

✓ 8,487–19,179 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1997 Peugeot Squabs sit.

⚠ Over 25,891 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

2.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.45

Avg failures per vehicle

0.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 1997 Peugeot Squab stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?