Peugeot 307 MOT Failures
An analysis of 712,969 real DVSA MOT tests on the Peugeot 307 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: T5 (2001–2005), T5FL (2005–2008).
Where the Peugeot 307 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Peugeot 307 is light unit fault — this model is 40 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 712,969 MOT tests, 2.22% of all Peugeot 307 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (140x the fleet average), engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (19x the fleet average), windscreen or window damaged or seriously disco... (28x the fleet average), and track rod ends worn (112x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Peugeot 307'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: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Wipers & Windscreen, Steering and others. If you're inspecting a Peugeot 307 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 307'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 307 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (140x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (111x). light unit fault (40x) and tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (28x) 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 307 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (52x the average) and fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure (42x). stop lamp switch with a delay in operation (40x) and light unit fault (27x) 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 307 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are stop lamp switch with a delay in operation (79x the average) and windscreen or window damaged or seriously disco... (28x). light unit fault (25x) and floor deteriorated or insecure (19x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to stop lamp switch with a delay in operation 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 307 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake hose deterioration Dangerous
The 307 exhibits exceptionally high brake hose failure rates, with MOT data showing failures up to 110 times the national fleet average. Affects T5, T5FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Excessive diesel smoke emissions (HDi) Major
The 307 diesel variants suffer from significantly higher smoke opacity levels than the national fleet average, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 140 times higher than typical cars. Affects T5, T5FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
Premature steering ball joint wear Major
The 307 shows exceptionally high failure rates for steering ball joints, with MOT data indicating failures up to 111 times the national average. Affects T5, T5FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
Suspension component bush wear
MOT data shows the 307 suffers from suspension bush and joint wear at rates up to 60 times the national average. Affects T5, T5FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Peugeot 307 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Peugeot 307
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Peugeot 307:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, stop lamp switch with a delay in operation. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det..., floor deteriorated or insecure. Wipers & Windscreen — check for windscreen or window damaged or seriously disco....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake hose deterioration and excessive diesel smoke emissions. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £150. 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 307?
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Peugeot 307 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Peugeot 307?
Based on 712,969 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 40x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
Is the Peugeot 307 reliable based on MOT data?
The Peugeot 307 has 22 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake hose deterioration 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 307 most commonly fails on stop lamp switch with a delay in operation and windscreen or window damaged or seriously disco.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and brake hoses perished or damaged.
How do I check a Peugeot 307'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.