2004 Peugeot 206 MOT pass rate: 62.2% (27,694 tests)
Is the 2004 206 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 62.6% -1.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 61.5% -2.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 62.5% -2.8 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 206
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9,134 | 24.4% |
| 2 | Suspension | 8,169 | 21.8% |
| 3 | Brakes | 6,081 | 16.2% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 3,424 | 9.1% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3,259 | 8.7% |
| 6 | Tyres | 2,584 | 6.9% |
All 206 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8,953 | 60.3% | -6.2 pts | 74,277 |
| 2002 | 14,441 | 59.0% | -6.6 pts | 81,852 |
| 2003 | 19,681 | 60.4% | -4.6 pts | 82,677 |
| 2004 (this page) | 27,694 | 62.2% | -2.1 pts | 82,750 |
| 2005 | 26,694 | 63.0% | -1.5 pts | 82,368 |
| 2006 | 19,593 | 62.8% | -1.6 pts | 80,124 |
| 2007 | 8,186 | 65.5% | +0.4 pts | 70,463 |
| 2008 | 3,691 | 63.5% | -1.7 pts | 73,156 |
| 2009 | 1,775 | 62.1% | -4.3 pts | 79,678 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Peugeot 206 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Peugeot 206 reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 62.2% of their MOT tests (27,694 tests, 2023–2025), -2.1 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 82,750 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 206?
The median tested example shows 82,750 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 206?
In this cohort petrols pass 63.0% of tests against 58.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.