2002 Peugeot 106 1.1L Petrol · WA52 DFU

Chronic structural corrosion at the front suspension mounting points represents the most significant mechanical risk on this 24 year old Peugeot 106, and it was the defining finding at the most recent test on 13 February 2024, which resulted in a fail with major defects recorded against both the nearside and offside front suspension component mounting prescribed areas. The official record shows excessive corrosion significantly reducing structural strength, a categorisation that goes beyond cosmetic surface rust and points to a weakening of load bearing metal in a critical location. Compounding that structural concern, the same test recorded exhaust emissions failures for both carbon monoxide at idle and hydrocarbons after the second fast idle, indicating combustion or catalyst efficiency problems. This was not an isolated poor test either; the 2020 entry shows a prior fail with major defects against both front suspension arm ball joints for excessive wear, alongside a rear brake drum back plate insecurity and a failed stop lamp, demonstrating that the front suspension has been a recurring problem area across separate test cycles rather than a sudden deterioration. The recorded mileage of 115,258 miles over approximately 24 years equates to an annual accumulation of around 4,800 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and could reflect either sustained light use or extended periods off the road with intermittent running. The MOT testing history itself shows an unbroken annual cycle of tests from 2019 through to 2024 with no multi-year lay-up gaps visible in the records, so the low annual mileage appears to have been accumulated through consistently light rather than intermittent use. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature tends to reduce wear on major drivetrain components but accelerates certain age related deterioration, particularly corrosion to underbody steel components such as brake pipes, subframe areas, and suspension mounting locations, and promotes deterioration of rubber components like constant velocity boots due to age hardening rather than mileage driven. The 2024 failure for corrosion at the front suspension mountings, alongside the recurring advisories for corroded brake pipes from 2023 and 2024, is consistent with this age related rather than mileage driven deterioration profile. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension structure during any physical inspection, as the 2024 major defects for excessively corroded mounting prescribed areas are the type of finding that can result in an immediate prohibition if the corrosion has progressed through the metal. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, as either symptom could indicate that weakened mounting metal is allowing component movement under load. Inspect the underbody visually where possible, ideally with the vehicle raised, paying close attention to the front suspension turrets, subframe mounting points, and inner wings for perforating rust, and check that the front suspension strut tops and coil spring seats remain solid. Examine the front suspension arms, track rod ends, and drop links for play by hand, recalling that both front ball joints were recorded as excessively worn in 2020. The brake system also warrants close scrutiny given the recorded history. The 2024 advisory for a nearside rear brake pipe corroded and covered in grease, combined with the 2023 advisory noting front to rear brake pipe corrosion described as slightly rusty, suggests a systemic deterioration of the brake pipework that is likely to progress over time. On the test drive, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without any sponginess that could indicate pipe corrosion allowing fluid weeping or air ingress, and the vehicle should pull up in a straight line without grabbing or pulling to one side, which would indicate binding or unevenly adjusted rear brake components given the 2020 advisory for an insecure rear brake drum back plate. Additionally, the 2024 emissions failures for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons warrant a cold start observation and a check for any visible smoke from the exhaust, with blue smoke indicating oil combustion and dense white smoke suggesting coolant loss, both of which would be consistent with the recorded exhaust test failures and could point to deeper engine wear given the vehicle's age.