1994 Peugeot 205 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Peugeot 205 first registered in 1994 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 202 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 202 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 1994 Peugeot 205 petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1994 Peugeot 205 petrol than on all cars registered in 1994.
- Tyre condition2.3× usualPeugeot 20521.3% All 1994 cars9.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2% of all 1994 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Common 1994 Peugeot 205 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 1994 Peugeot 205 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes34% 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.
- Suspension30% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions27% 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.
- Tyres26% 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.
- Lights and electrics24% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Oil and fluid leaks16% 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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1994 Peugeot 205 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the tyre condition? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1994 Peugeot 205 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- 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
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 232 | Brakes 44% |
| 1995 | 475 | Brakes 41% |
| 1993 | 918 | Brakes 34% |
| 1992 | 1,262 | Brakes 33% |
| 1991 | 1,660 | Brakes 28% |
| 1990 | 1,902 | Brakes 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 1994. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score