Peugeot 309
From 709 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 34 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 34 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 32 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 24 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 20 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 20 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 18 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 18 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 18 |
| audible warning inoperative | 17 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 16 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 40.6% of 309 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 23% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £163.
Peugeot 309 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 41 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 1 newly registered, a net loss of 40. At this rate, roughly 38.6 years until none remain. Now at 0.8% of its peak (196,735 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 274 | 1,272 | +0 | -3 | -3 |
| 2025 Q2 | 278 | 1,271 | +0 | -4 | -4 |
| 2025 Q1 | 255 | 1,298 | +0 | -16 | -16 |
| 2024 Q4 | 246 | 1,323 | +1 | -18 | -17 |
| 2024 Q3 | 271 | 1,315 | +0 | -0 | +2 |
| 2024 Q2 | 275 | 1,309 | +0 | -4 | -4 |
| 2024 Q1 | 257 | 1,331 | +0 | -20 | -20 |
| 2023 Q4 | 259 | 1,349 | +15 | -5 | +10 |
2 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 309 Gti Goodwood | Diesel | 57 | 53% |
| 309 Gti | Petrol | 50 | 47% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 79.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 1991 | 71.2% | brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 1990 | 74.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits |
Typical mileage
Half of all 309s tested had between 66,616 and 125,318 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 86,824 median miles, the 309 has 0.028 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Peugeot models
| Peugeot 208 | 75.2% |
| Peugeot Partner | 69.9% |
| Peugeot 3008 | 76.5% |
| Peugeot 308 | 71.6% |
| Peugeot 207 | 63.1% |
Common questions
What is the Peugeot 309 MOT pass rate?
The Peugeot 309 has a 75.7% MOT pass rate based on 709 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Peugeot 309?
The most common MOT failure on the Peugeot 309 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 34 failures. Other common issues include brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle..
How many Peugeot 309s are on UK roads?
There are 274 Peugeot 309s currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,272 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Peugeot 309 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Peugeot 309 is 86,824 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 66,616 and 125,318 miles.
Buying a used 309?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 75.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £163 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 40.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.