Peugeot 106 MOT Failures
An analysis of 165,783 real DVSA MOT tests on the Peugeot 106 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 106_Phase1 (1991–1996), 106_Phase2 (1996–2004).
Where the Peugeot 106 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Peugeot 106 is braking effort inadequate at a wheel — this model is 125 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 165,783 MOT tests, 1.84% of all Peugeot 106 tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (76x the fleet average), steering rack wear (51x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (73x the fleet average), and service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (62x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Peugeot 106's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a Peugeot 106 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Peugeot 106's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Peugeot 106 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are braking effort inadequate at a wheel (125x the average) and seat mounting fault (73x). body panel damage (70x) and light unit fault (67x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Peugeot 106 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are axle or kingpin wear (129x the average) and fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure (97x). abs fault (61x) and seat mounting fault (57x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Peugeot 106 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are body panel damage (165x the average) and seat mounting fault (46x). braking effort inadequate at a wheel (41x) and braking effort not recording at a wheel (29x) also appear frequently.
The shift from braking effort inadequate at a wheel at lower mileages to body panel damage at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Peugeot 106 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity Dangerous
The 106's monocoque structure is prone to serious corrosion that weakens the load-bearing shell, particularly around suspension mounting points and structural joints. Affects 106_Phase1, 106_Phase2; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Brake system efficiency deterioration Dangerous
The 106 suffers from widespread brake efficiency problems affecting both individual wheel performance and overall system effectiveness. Affects 106_Phase1, 106_Phase2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Rear axle beam excessive movement Dangerous
The rear axle beam mounting system develops excessive movement between the stub axle and beam assembly, with MOT failures at 128.7 times the fleet average on 1.1-litre models at high mileage. Affects 106_Phase1, 106_Phase2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.
Steering component mounting area corrosion Dangerous
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of steering component mounting points suffers significant corrosion, with MOT failures at 60.7 times the fleet average. Affects 106_Phase1, 106_Phase2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Peugeot 106 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Peugeot 106
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Peugeot 106:
Brakes — check for braking effort inadequate at a wheel, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Steering — check for steering rack wear. Bodywork — check for seat mounting fault, body panel damage.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity and brake system efficiency deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Peugeot 106?
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Peugeot 106 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Peugeot 106?
Based on 165,783 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is braking effort inadequate at a wheel — at 125x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and steering rack wear.
Is the Peugeot 106 reliable based on MOT data?
The Peugeot 106 has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Peugeot 106 most commonly fails on body panel damage and seat mounting fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are braking effort inadequate at a wheel and seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Peugeot 106's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.