Verdict
The Peugeot RCZ passes its MOT first time on 67.7% of tests, 3.7 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.4%). That puts it ahead of 29% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 35%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 26%).
Better than average on steering.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 68.1% | Beats 26% | D |
| 2.0 Diesel | 66.9% | Beats 35% | D |
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Coil springs 2.3× typical
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps. - Headlight bulbs & units 2.0× typical
Check dipped and main beam on both sides. - Headlight aim 1.6× typical
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left. - Engine warning light 2.7× typical
The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy. - Brake lights 1.5× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid. - Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.0× typical
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil springs | 6.7% | 2.9% | 2.3× |
| Headlight aim | 4.6% | 2.8% | 1.6× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 3.9% | 1.9% | 2.0× |
| Drive shaft (CV) joints | 3.8% | 1.1% | 3.5× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.0× |
| Brake lights | 3.2% | 2.2% | 1.5× |
| Tyre tread depth | 3.1% | 2.4% | 1.3× |
| Windscreen wipers | 2.6% | 2.2% | 1.2× |
| Engine warning light | 2.1% | 0.8% | 2.7× |
| Sidelights | 1.7% | 2.5% | 0.7× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 67.1 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 46.1 |
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 38.4 |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 31.5 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 30.5 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 26.2 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 23.5 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 23.4 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
2016 Peugeot RCZ1 engine76.9% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 76.9% | Beats 6% | E |
2015 Peugeot RCZ2 engines78.1% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 79.1% | Beats 29% | D |
| 2.0 Diesel | 76.2% | Beats 27% | D |
2014 Peugeot RCZ2 engines73.6% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 74.6% | Beats 24% | D |
| 2.0 Diesel | 71.9% | Beats 30% | D |
2013 Peugeot RCZ2 engines68.9% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 69.4% | Beats 19% | E |
| 2.0 Diesel | 68.4% | Beats 34% | D |
2012 Peugeot RCZ2 engines66.9% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 67.8% | Beats 29% | D |
| 2.0 Diesel | 65.1% | Beats 36% | D |
2011 Peugeot RCZ2 engines63.1% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 63.4% | Beats 26% | D |
| 2.0 Diesel | 62.2% | Beats 37% | D |
2010 Peugeot RCZ2 engines60.7% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 61.2% | Beats 29% | D |
| 2.0 Diesel | 59.2% | Beats 40% | D |
FAQ
What is the Peugeot RCZ MOT pass rate?
67.7% of MOT tests on the Peugeot RCZ were passed first time, based on 98,402 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2010–2016. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.4% of the time.
Is the Peugeot RCZ reliable?
On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 29% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Peugeot RCZ engine is best?
Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 35% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 26%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Peugeot RCZ?
The most common failure items are coil springs, headlight aim, headlight bulbs & units. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 2.3× as often.