Peugeot 308: what fails at MOT
178,000 MOT tests on the Peugeot 308 in 2024, counted. 35.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35.9% of Peugeot 308 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.4%, so the 308 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (10.3% of tests), suspension (8.3% of tests) and brakes (5.9% 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 | 2,494 | 12.7% | 10.9% | 29,200 18,800 to 47,400 |
| 2020 | 4,829 | 13.8% | 11.5% | 30,600 20,800 to 44,400 |
| 2019 | 8,658 | 15.4% | 13.4% | 40,200 29,300 to 55,800 |
| 2018 | 10,135 | 20.6% | 15.6% | 51,300 37,200 to 68,700 |
| 2017 | 11,515 | 23.8% | 18.2% | 60,200 44,800 to 79,900 |
| 2016 | 19,080 | 28.2% | 21.3% | 69,700 52,500 to 89,500 |
| 2015 | 18,379 | 31.0% | 24.4% | 78,100 59,700 to 100,100 |
| 2014 | 16,122 | 35.7% | 27.7% | 82,200 62,600 to 104,500 |
| 2013 | 13,784 | 41.7% | 30.6% | 86,100 64,800 to 109,400 |
| 2012 | 13,710 | 42.1% | 33.4% | 93,300 70,800 to 117,500 |
| 2011 | 13,000 | 42.1% | 36.1% | 94,200 72,200 to 119,300 |
| 2010 | 17,035 | 48.3% | 38.6% | 97,000 74,800 to 123,900 |
| 2009 | 16,239 | 48.5% | 39.8% | 99,100 75,800 to 126,400 |
| 2008 | 11,605 | 52.1% | 41.5% | 101,700 79,600 to 128,400 |
| 2007 | 1,289 | 52.6% | 41.5% | 102,600 81,200 to 127,000 |
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 308 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 308 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.3% | 7.9% | More than most |
| Suspension | 8.3% | 6.6% | |
| Brakes | 5.9% | 4.7% | |
| Tyres | 5.7% | 4.5% | |
| Body and structure | 4.4% | 2.3% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 3.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.4% | 2.2% | More than most |
| Steering | 2.4% | 1.4% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim3.6%
- Driveshaft joint3.5%
- Tyre3.4%
- Coil spring3.1%
- Tyre tread2.7%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Brake pads2.3%
- Track rod end2.2%
- Brake light2.2%
- Washers2.1%
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 dirt3.3%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- Brake light: not working2.0%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.9%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.8%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.7%
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 edge16.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive5.1%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.6%
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?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Peugeot 308's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.