Used buying checklist
Peugeot Rcz reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Peugeot Rcz looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 22.4% of 14,337 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
Start with lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 22.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 65,807 miles
- 3,204 failed MOT tests analysed
Lights and electrical is the clearest area to check
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (13.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include warning lamp indicates a fault, inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources, and with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- warning lamp indicates a fault
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit
- leaking excessively from engine
- emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint excessively worn
Focus on lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering
The model's recorded failure rate is 22.4%, +3.6 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed14,337 tests
- Median tested mileage65,807 miles
- Failed MOT tests3,204
Should you buy a used Peugeot Rcz?
77.6% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 22.4%, +3.6 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering
- lights and electrical appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "warning lamp indicates a fault"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
Start with lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (13.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot Rcz, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 19.1% at 6-10 years to 0.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
2 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (13.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (13.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (9.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot Rcz, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (13.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Peugeot Rcz mainly involve 3 areas: lights and electrical, brakes, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot Rcz, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 3,886 | 3,178 | 16.4%+5.6 percentage points vs all models | 38,956 miles |
| 50-100k | 8,558 | 6,292 | 24.1%+3.4 percentage points vs all models | 70,683 miles |
| 100-150k | 1,657 | 1,183 | 27.8%+1.6 percentage points vs all models | 112,306 miles |
| 150-200k | 137 | 100 | 27.7%+0.5 percentage points vs all models | 160,049 miles |
| 200k+ | 24 | 17 | 25.0%-1.6 percentage points vs all models | 223,884 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot Rcz, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 19.1% at 6-10 years to 0.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 24.1% for 10-15 years cars, based on 9,300 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
5,036 | 3,956 | 19.1%+2.5 percentage points vs all models | 9.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
9,300 | 6,860 | 24.1%+0.6 percentage points vs all models | 11.8 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
1 | 1 | 0.0%-25.9 percentage points vs all models | 21.5 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
2 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2015-12-09 | FUEL MAY LEAK The fuel heating device integrated in to the diesel fuel filter cover may be defective and allow heat to build up within the electrical supply connector causing the cover to distort and air to enter the fuel circuit. This could make the vehicles difficult to start and a warning light will be illuminated on the dash board. The engine could be difficult or not possible to start. In the worst cases a diesel fuel leak could eventually appear. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the fuel heater cover. Additionally the electrical connector will be inspected and where necessary replaced. |
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| 2010-06-15 | LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY. Over a period of time it is possible for the front brake hoses to deteriorate through contact with other components. If left for some time it is possible that the brake hoses will leak fluid and there to be a loss of braking efficiency. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace both the front brake flexi hoses. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Peugeot Rcz. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Peugeot reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.