Peugeot 205 (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 277 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,527

£211/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1769cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,527/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel1769cc30 years old277 tests123k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1769cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,527

Per month£211/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Peugeot brand average of 83%.

66% of MOT tests on Peugeot 205s from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 277 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 123,274 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models207th of 243(bottom 16%)

Rank among Peugeot models685th of 709(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-9%(75% avg)

vs Peugeot average-17%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,274

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Peugeot 205 had 123,274 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 66%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Peugeot 205 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1996	66%	277	123,274 mi
1995	71%	485	109,355 mi
1994	73%	543	107,930 mi
1993	77%	938	102,809 mi
1992	74%	1,287	108,252 mi
1991	79%	1,627	103,325 mi
1990	80%	1,931	107,231 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,527/year

65%

-1%

Mercedes C

1997 · 2155cc Diesel

£2,456/year

81%

+15%

Volkswagen Polo

1998 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,327/year

71%

+5%

Volkswagen Passat

1998 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,327/year

71%

+5%

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About the 1996 Peugeot 205

The 1996 Peugeot 205 is a family car. Our records list a 1769cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 277 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 16% of 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 123,274 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Peugeot 205 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 Peugeot 205 Fuel Costs

The 1769cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1996 Peugeot 205?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,527 (£211/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 1996 Peugeot 205

At 30 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 123k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1996 Peugeot 205 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Peugeot 205(1996)	66%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527
Ford Fiesta(1998)	65%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527same
Mercedes C(1997)	81%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,456-£71
Volkswagen Polo(1998)	71%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200
Volkswagen Passat(1998)	71%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1996 Peugeot 205

Is the 1996 Peugeot 205 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 1996 Peugeot 205s ended in a pass, from 277 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Peugeot 205 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,527 a year (£211 a month): £1,397 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Peugeot 205?

66% of 277 MOT tests on the 1996 Peugeot 205 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 207th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom 16%).

Which year Peugeot 205 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 Peugeot 205 has the highest MOT pass rate at 80% and the 1996 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Peugeot 205?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Peugeot 205 is 123,274 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.