Used car guide

1992 Peugeot 309 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Peugeot 309 first registered in 1992 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 109 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 109 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

109MOTs of 1992 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
72%pass first time (all 1992 cars: 69%)
2,400typical miles a year
27%had brakes flagged

Common 1992 Peugeot 309 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1992 Peugeot 309 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    27% 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
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

  • Suspension
    15% 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.

  • Tyres
    11% 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 309 petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 309?

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Other years

Every year of the Peugeot 309 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023–Too new for MOT data
1993–Too few tests
1991157Brakes 34%
1990121Brakes 36%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–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 309 cars first registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score