Used car guide

1992 Peugeot 205 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Peugeot 205 first registered in 1992 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 958 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

958MOTs of 1992 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 1992 cars: 69%)
3,200typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for exhaust emissions

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1992 Peugeot 205 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1992 Peugeot 205 petrol than on all cars registered in 1992.

  • Exhaust emissions2.2× usual
    Peugeot 205
    4% All 1992 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.7% of all 1992 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

Common 1992 Peugeot 205 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1992 Peugeot 205 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    29% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

  • Tyres
    12% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1992 Peugeot 205 petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1992 Peugeot 205 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 205?

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 205 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1996232Brakes 44%
1995475Brakes 41%
1994542Brakes 39%
1993918Brakes 34%
19911,660Brakes 28%
19901,902Brakes 28%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–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 205 cars first registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score