Peugeot Boxer MOT Failures
An analysis of 419,515 real DVSA MOT tests on the Peugeot Boxer — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Gen1 (1994–2006), Gen2 (2006–2024).
Where the Peugeot Boxer fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Peugeot Boxer is power steering fault — this model is 468 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 419,515 MOT tests, 0.28% of all Peugeot Boxer tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include coil springs broken (523x the fleet average), emissions failure (419x the fleet average), abs fault (119x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (217x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Peugeot Boxer'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: Steering, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Bodywork and others. If you're inspecting a Peugeot Boxer 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 Boxer'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 Boxer specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (523x the average) and emissions failure (419x). power steering fault (314x) and sharp bodywork damage (191x) 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 Boxer specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (266x the average) and coil springs broken (227x). structural corrosion (217x) and sharp bodywork damage (158x) 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 Boxer specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are main load-bearing structural member fractured o... (280x the average) and coil springs broken (243x). power steering fault (182x) and abs fault (119x) also appear frequently.
The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to main load-bearing structural member fractured o... 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 Boxer specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe corrosion at brake component mounting points Dangerous
The load-bearing structure around brake component mounting points suffers severe corrosion on the Boxer, with MOT data showing failures at 3834.9 times the national fleet average. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,500.
Suspension component mounting corrosion Dangerous
The chassis structure around spring and suspension mounting points corrodes at 3834.9 times the fleet average on the Boxer. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£3,000.
Turbo failure Major
The turbochargers on DW10 and DW12 HDI engines are prone to bearing failure, actuator seizure, and boost leak development. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,200.
DPF issues Major
Diesel Particulate Filter blockage is endemic on Boxer vans used for short urban journeys that prevent the DPF reaching regeneration temperature. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Peugeot Boxer common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Peugeot Boxer
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Peugeot Boxer:
Steering — check for power steering fault. Suspension — check for coil springs broken, wheel bearings worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Brakes — check for abs fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe corrosion at brake component mounting points and suspension component mounting corrosion. 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 Boxer?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Peugeot Boxer MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Peugeot Boxer?
Based on 419,515 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is power steering fault — at 468x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include coil springs broken and emissions failure.
Is the Peugeot Boxer reliable based on MOT data?
The Peugeot Boxer has 20 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe corrosion at brake component mounting points 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 Boxer most commonly fails on main load-bearing structural member fractured o... and coil springs broken. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are coil springs broken and emissions failure.
How do I check a Peugeot Boxer'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.