Used car guide

1996 Peugeot 106 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Peugeot 106 first registered in 1996 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 217 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 217 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

217MOTs of 1996 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 1996 cars: 66%)
3,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel than on all cars registered in 1996.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Peugeot 106
    15.2% All 1996 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3.8% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    38% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    38% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 106?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Peugeot 106 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20031,779Tyres 29%
20023,157Lights and electrics 32%
20012,838Brakes 32%
20001,514Lights and electrics 32%
1999664Suspension 30%
19981,813Brakes 30%
19971,444Brakes 36%
1995472Suspension 35%
1994451Brakes 28%
1993210Suspension 33%
1992171Brakes 37%
1991–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Peugeot 106 cars first registered in 1996. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score