Diesel Peugeot 205: MOT pass rate

67.9% of diesel Peugeot 205s pass the MOT first time, measured across 644 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 127,295.

Diesel against the other Peugeot 205 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Peugeot 205 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 75.1%, and this diesel version sits 5.8 points below the 73.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Peugeot 205 fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Peugeot 205 had covered 127,295 miles at test, against 102,740 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Peugeot 205 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Peugeot 205

1. Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 4.8% of tests (22.29x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., 6.3% of tests (12.04x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 10.7% of tests (11.37x the national rate for this defect)
4. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.2% of tests (7.32x the national rate for this defect)
5. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.1% of tests (4.12x the national rate for this defect)
6. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 8.4% of tests (3.59x the national rate for this defect)
7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 6% of tests (3.55x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.4% of tests (3.25x the national rate for this defect)
9. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.9% of tests (3.2x the national rate for this defect)
10. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.4% of tests (2.59x the national rate for this defect)

From 652 DVSA-tracked diesel Peugeot 205 tests, 2024, split out from the Peugeot 205's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.47% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Peugeot 205

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 7.2% of tests (12.86x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 5.7% of tests (4.56x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 6.6% of tests (4.34x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 24.7% of tests (3.99x the national rate for this defect)
5. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 20.7% of tests (3.72x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 6.6% of tests (3.3x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 7.2% of tests (2.72x the national rate for this defect)
8. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.3% of tests (2.21x the national rate for this defect)
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.7% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 19% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect)

From 652 DVSA-tracked diesel Peugeot 205 tests, 2024.

Other Peugeot 205 fuel types

• Petrol Peugeot 205 - 75.1%

All Peugeot 205 MOT data · Every model