A 1998 Peugeot 106 carrying 105,158 miles presents a mixed but cautionary mechanical picture, with the recorded DVSA history showing that structural and drivetrain integrity have been recurring concerns rather than isolated events. The most recent documented test on 9 November 2013 was a failure driven by a split nearside front CV joint gaiter, dangerous vertical play in the nearside rear axle beam, and both rear tyres below the legal 1.6mm tread limit, alongside a minor washer fluid issue. The pattern of defects over the preceding tests reinforces this concern: the nearside front outer CV gaiter was flagged as deteriorated in 2011 and again in 2012 (when it was noted as damaged but still preventing ingress), meaning the joint had been deteriorating across multiple tests before finally failing. Two MOT failures in 2011 and 2013, combined with advisories on rear brake disc pitting and barely-met brake efficiency in 2008, point to a vehicle whose rear axle, braking system, and drivetrain sealing have demanded ongoing attention.
The usage profile for this 28-year-old car is notably low, averaging roughly 3,750 miles per year over its recorded testing life, but the MOT history contains significant gaps that warrant careful interpretation. No tests are recorded between March 2009 and January 2010, no further tests appear between November 2013 and the present, and the earliest entry shown dates from 2008, meaning much of the vehicle's life is undocumented by DVSA. While low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals, prolonged periods of stationary use on a vehicle of this age typically accelerate corrosion on brake discs, calipers, suspension arms, and underbody seams, and can degrade rubber components including bushes, boots, and driveshaft gaiters. The recurring gaiter and brake disc advisories are consistent with the kind of rubber and surface corrosion issues that arise from intermittent rather than regular use.
A prospective buyer should treat the rear axle assembly as the foremost mechanical priority. The 2013 failure recorded excessive vertical movement between the nearside rear stub axle and axle beam, which on a Peugeot 106 of this vintage commonly indicates worn rear axle bushes, a distorted beam, or compromised mounting points, all of which can produce clonking noises over bumps, rear instability under load, and uneven rear tyre wear. On a test drive, listen for knocks from the rear over uneven surfaces, check that the car tracks straight without wandering, and inspect both rear tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear that would confirm a geometry or bush issue. The rear brake disc pitting noted in 2008 should also be investigated, as pitted discs on a low-use vehicle often reflect surface corrosion from standing rather than wear from use, and can produce judder under braking along with prolonged stopping distances if the corrosion has become severe.
The front drivetrain is the second priority area. The nearside front CV gaiter was flagged across three consecutive tests before failing outright, suggesting either a persistent boot that was never properly replaced or a joint that had been gradually ingesting contamination. Any test drive should include tight low-speed turns in both directions while listening for clicks, knocks, or a binding sensation from the front wheels, and the gaiters themselves should be inspected for fresh grease or splits, as a replacement gaiter fitted close to the point of sale does not guarantee the joint itself is undamaged. Beyond these flagged items, the headlamp aim failures in 2011 and the consistent tyre tread issues indicate that basic maintenance items have been allowed to lapse, so all four tyres, both headlamp alignment patterns, washer fluid level, and the underbody condition for surface rust around the rear beam, fuel and brake lines, and subframe should be inspected in detail before purchase.