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PEUGEOT 309 (1990)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 147 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1294cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1294cc36 years old147 tests101k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1294cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1294cc

£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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 36 years old, 76% of PEUGEOT 309s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 147 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,671 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars128th of 190(top 67%)
Rank among PEUGEOT models512th of 726(top 71%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 1990 cars average-3%(79% avg)
vs PEUGEOT average-7%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

100,671

Average miles

vs

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 PEUGEOT 309 has 100,671 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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 1993 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 76%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

PEUGEOT 309 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199390%79115,508 mi
199279%13597,989 mi
199177%159103,576 mi
199076%147100,671 mi

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About the 1990 PEUGEOT 309

The 1990 PEUGEOT 309 is a small family car with a 1294cc petrol engine. 147 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 100,671 miles at 36 years old, PEUGEOT 309 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.

1990 PEUGEOT 309 Fuel Costs

The 1294cc 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 1990 PEUGEOT 309?

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 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

PEUGEOT 309 Reliability Trend

Newer PEUGEOT 309s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 PEUGEOT 309

At 36 years old, the PEUGEOT 309 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

Based on the 1990 PEUGEOT 309'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 101k 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 1990 PEUGEOT 309 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
PEUGEOT 309(1990)76%£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
PEUGEOT 205(1990)80%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572-£315

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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