Small car · 1996–2016 cars
Peugeot 106 reliability
The Peugeot 106 fails 44.8% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 17,222 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Peugeot 106 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 44.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 17,222
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Peugeot 106 ages
Each point is the share of Peugeot 106s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Peugeot 106 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 42% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 47.9% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 46.2% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 46.3% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 45.7% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 47% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 41.6% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 39.2% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Peugeot 106 years
1998 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 106 | 2,367 | 45.2% | 17% more fails | 70,915 |
| 2002 106 | 4,165 | 47.8% | 24% more fails | 71,806 |
| 2001 106 | 3,825 | 46.7% | 21% more fails | 76,704 |
| 2000 106 | 1,981 | 44.6% | 20% more fails | 72,092 |
| 1999 106 | 1,128 | 44.6% | 29% more fails | 69,399 |
| 1998 106 | 2,511 | 39.2% | 14% more fails | 79,018 |
| 1997 106 | 1,025 | 39.4% | 16% more fails | 75,322 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Peugeot 106
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 129% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.9%13% above avg
- Brakes15.7%38% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks14.5%129% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure13.9%70% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.7%37% above avg
- Suspension9.7%24% below avg
- Tyres5.2%7% above avg
- Steering5.1%73% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.6%29% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Service brakes uneven across an axle 5.36% of tests
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 2
Lambda reading outside specified limits 5.1% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.96% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 4.62% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Service brake efficiency below minimum 4.24% of tests
The brakes are not stopping the car effectively enough, a serious safety risk that needs urgent repair before driving.
- 6
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.04% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 7
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.85% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 8
Position lamp not working 3.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Peugeot 106's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive13.99%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.85%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.09%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.53%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak6.86%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.67%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Peugeot 106
- 1
Service brakes uneven across an axle
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 2
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol90.9%
- Diesel9%
- Electric0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Peugeot 106 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Fit | 11.6% | 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 25 | 39.7% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Qubo | 34.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 106 | 44.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Saxo | 46.3% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Baleno | 23.3% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Picasso | 27.8% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Peugeot models.
Questions
Peugeot 106 questions, answered
Is the Peugeot 106 reliable?
On MOT results, the Peugeot 106 is below average: it fails 44.8% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 37 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Peugeot 106 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Peugeot 106 are service brakes uneven across an axle (5.36% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (5.1% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.96% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18.9% of its tests.
Which Peugeot 106 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 1998 cars do best (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (29% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Peugeot 106 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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