Skip to main content
Check
Peugeot

Peugeot 306 reliability by build year

Coverage 1993-20022 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Peugeot 306 built before 2000: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Peugeot 306 models built before 2000 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at fluid leaks on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Peugeot 306 by number plate

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Peugeot 306 models built before 2000 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 4% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Peugeot 306 models built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Peugeot 306's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates rose, then fell back. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 306's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

306 Mk2 (facelift)

Mk2 (facelift) (1997-2002)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

29.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,989 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Peugeot 306.

See every build year for the Peugeot 306

By age

Peugeot 306 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Peugeot 306 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
42031.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,17230.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,98929.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Peugeot 306 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Peugeot 306 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    24.4%
    Advisory: 745Fail: 9 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.0%
    Advisory: 483Fail: 141 (23% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.6%
    Advisory: 559Fail: 65 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    12.1%
    Advisory: 456Fail: 63 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.9%
    Advisory: 480Fail: 15 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,989 MOT tests on 25+ year old Peugeot 306 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Peugeot 306 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension33%
  2. Brakes + Tyres24%
  3. Brakes + Fuel & oil22%
  4. Brakes + Other21%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,747 MOT tests on Peugeot 306 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Peugeot 306.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

17 recalls in all

10 of the 17 Peugeot 306 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 recalls

Top concerns

  • Possible reduction in braking assistance plus engine operating problems.
  • Failure of camshaft drive belt
  • Possible insecurity of steering rack

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Sierra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.5%

    Lower fail rate: 11.5%, against 29.7% for the Peugeot 306, both built before 2000.

    3,022 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Vauxhall Nova

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    2.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 29.7% for the Peugeot 306, both built before 2000.

    1,003 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Ford Escort

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.6%
    Dangerous
    3.8%

    Lower fail rate: 16.8%, against 29.7% for the Peugeot 306, both built before 2000.

    10,088 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Austin Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.9%
    Dangerous
    4.5%

    Lower fail rate: 22.6%, against 29.7% for the Peugeot 306, both built before 2000.

    3,373 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Peugeot 306 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,989 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Peugeot 306 ever sold: 4,581 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,989 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.