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PEUGEOT 205 (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,627 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1360cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £1887/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1360cc35 years old1,627 tests103k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1360cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1360cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,887
Per month£157/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

79% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 35 years old, 79% of PEUGEOT 205s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,627 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 103,325 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars89th of 179(top 50%)
Rank among PEUGEOT models468th of 726(top 64%)
vs national average-3%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average+1%(78% avg)
vs PEUGEOT average-4%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

103,325

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 PEUGEOT 205 has 103,325 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1990 model with a 80% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1991 sits between the two at 79%.

PEUGEOT 205 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199666%277123,274 mi
199571%485109,355 mi
199473%543107,930 mi
199377%938102,809 mi
199274%1,287108,252 mi
199179%1,627103,325 mi
199080%1,931107,231 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1991 PEUGEOT 205

The 1991 PEUGEOT 205 is a small family car with a 1360cc petrol engine. 1,627 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 103,325 miles at 35 years old, PEUGEOT 205 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 PEUGEOT 205 Fuel Costs

The 1360cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 PEUGEOT 205?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

PEUGEOT 205 Reliability Trend

Older PEUGEOT 205s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1991 PEUGEOT 205

At 35 years old, the PEUGEOT 205 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1990 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 PEUGEOT 205's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 103k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 PEUGEOT 205 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
PEUGEOT 205(1991)79%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1887
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£20
ROVER MINI(1990)80%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£497
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£210
BMW 3 SERIES(1991)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£20

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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