1996 Peugeot 306 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Peugeot 306 first registered in 1996 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 255 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 255 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 1996 Peugeot 306 petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1996 Peugeot 306 petrol than on all cars registered in 1996.
- Coil springs2.5× usualPeugeot 30614.1% All 1996 cars5.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.7% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Common 1996 Peugeot 306 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 1996 Peugeot 306 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes40% 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.
- Suspension31% 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.
- Lights and electrics30% 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 leaks27% 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.
- 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.
- Exhaust and emissions22% 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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1996 Peugeot 306 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1996 Peugeot 306 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Peugeot 306?
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 306 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | – | Too few tests |
| 2002 | 493 | Brakes 49% |
| 2001 | 2,510 | Brakes 49% |
| 2000 | 3,229 | Brakes 46% |
| 1999 | 2,247 | Brakes 42% |
| 1998 | 1,562 | Brakes 41% |
| 1997 | 1,061 | Brakes 40% |
| 1995 | 442 | Suspension 39% |
| 1994 | 230 | Brakes 42% |
| 1993 | – | 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 306 cars first registered in 1996. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score