Peugeot 208: what fails at MOT
258,000 MOT tests on the Peugeot 208 in 2024, counted. 27.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.7% of Peugeot 208 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21.9%, so the 208 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.8% of tests), body and structure (5.1% of tests) and tyres (4.1% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, body and structure and exhaust and emissions more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,190 | 11.4% | 10.9% | 20,200 13,600 to 29,300 |
| 2020 | 20,191 | 16.8% | 11.5% | 24,100 16,300 to 33,800 |
| 2019 | 20,254 | 18.3% | 13.4% | 29,200 20,300 to 40,800 |
| 2018 | 19,238 | 22.8% | 15.6% | 36,600 25,900 to 49,500 |
| 2017 | 20,565 | 25.5% | 18.2% | 44,700 32,100 to 59,400 |
| 2016 | 30,330 | 26.5% | 21.3% | 51,800 38,000 to 67,400 |
| 2015 | 32,956 | 29.6% | 24.4% | 58,000 42,600 to 74,600 |
| 2014 | 34,839 | 34.7% | 27.7% | 64,400 48,300 to 82,300 |
| 2013 | 40,597 | 38.1% | 30.6% | 72,200 55,600 to 90,400 |
| 2012 | 17,092 | 40.6% | 33.4% | 77,300 59,600 to 95,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Peugeot 208 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 208 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 7.8% | 5.2% |
| Body and structure More than most | 5.1% | 1.3% |
| Tyres | 4.1% | 4.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 4.0% | 1.4% |
| Suspension | 3.5% | 4.1% |
| Brakes | 3.3% | 3.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.7% | 2.5% |
| Steering | 0.7% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Driveshaft joint3.0%
- Tyre2.5%
- Exhaust emissions2.5%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Number plate light2.3%
- Exhaust system2.2%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Washers1.3%
- Engine warning light1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
- Exhaust system: system insecure1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.1%
- Brake light: not working1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.2%
- Exhaust system: mounting defective5.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.4%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.8%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Peugeot 208's own MOT record
Looking at a 208? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.