2001 Peugeot 106 1.1L Petrol · X798 BGR

A 25-year-old Peugeot presenting a recorded MOT history that is dominated by a long absence from testing is now showing several front-end mechanical concerns, with the most recent activity in late 2008 capturing the defining issues. On 8 November 2008 the vehicle passed an MOT, but the examiner recorded an advisory that the offside front tyre was worn close to the legal limit. Just one week earlier, on 1 November 2008, the same car failed on four separate counts: a non-functioning nearside registration plate lamp, a split offside front constant velocity joint gaiter, an offside front brake disc contaminated by grease, and an insufficient windscreen washer supply. The CV joint gaiter failure in particular is a structural drivetrain defect that, if left unaddressed, would lead to grease loss from the joint, water and dirt ingress, and ultimately failure of the constant velocity joint itself, while a grease-contaminated brake disc raises immediate questions about the condition of the offside front caliper or hub assembly and whether the contamination has been fully removed or has compromised the disc surface. Prior to this cluster, the record was generally clean, with passes in November 2006 and November 2007 and a single repairable exhaust leak on 14 November 2007. The overall picture for a prospective buyer is therefore one of a vehicle whose roadworthiness in 2008 was borderline, with multiple front-axle and braking defects that warranted immediate attention. The mileage profile raises further mechanical considerations. The recorded odometer reading of 59,468 miles across approximately 25 years equates to a remarkably low annual accumulation of around 2,379 miles, which is unusually low for any road vehicle of this age. Equally telling is the gap in the testing history: the record shows tests between 2006 and 2008 only, meaning the vehicle has not been presented for an MOT for roughly seventeen years. Such extended periods of standing or very light use are associated with seized brake calipers, hardened or cracked brake flexihoses, perished rubber components throughout the suspension, dry-out and deterioration of constant velocity joint gaiters, internal corrosion in the cooling and fuel systems, and stale fluids throughout the braking and hydraulic circuits. The condition of components that were last inspected in 2008 cannot be assumed to have remained serviceable, regardless of the low mileage figure. A prospective buyer approaching this Peugeot should concentrate the pre-purchase inspection on the front axle and braking system, given the specific defects recorded in 2008. The offside front CV joint gaiter must be examined closely for fresh splits, perished rubber, or any sign of grease loss around the joint, and the inner and outer joints themselves should be checked for play or roughness by rotating the wheel with the car raised and by feeling for clicks or vibration under load during a test drive. The offside front brake disc and caliper, previously contaminated by grease, should be inspected for scoring, lipping, and a smooth friction surface, and the caliper slide pins and piston should be exercised to confirm the unit is not binding. Brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent, and any judder, pulling to one side under braking, or a soft pedal would suggest the contamination issue has either persisted or returned. The front tyres should be checked for even wear across both shoulders, as uneven camber or tracking wear could indicate worn suspension components that may not have been inspected since 2008. Beyond the front end, the long dormant period makes a thorough check of secondary systems essential. Brake fluid should be assessed for colour and clarity, as fluid over seventeen years old will have absorbed moisture and significantly reduced boiling point, and the brake servo and master cylinder should be checked for any signs of leakage. The rear exhaust section, which previously exhibited a major gas leak, should be inspected for corrosion along the pipework, mounting rubbers, and flexible joints, and a cold-start listening check should be performed for blowing gases. Suspension bushes, coil springs, and shock absorbers should be examined for cracking, sagging, and leakage respectively, and the underside should be raised and inspected for structural corrosion on the subframe, mounting points, and brake and fuel lines. Finally, a careful road test should focus on any knocking over uneven surfaces, imprecise steering, warning lights on the dashboard, and the operation of all basic electrical items including the registration plate lamps and washer system, both of which failed in the 2008 test and are simple but informative indicators of overall electrical condition.