Peugeot 508: what fails at MOT
27,000 MOT tests on the Peugeot 508 in 2024, counted. 26% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26% of Peugeot 508 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 24%, so the 508 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.4% of tests), suspension (4.9% of tests) and tyres (4.8% of tests).
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 | 2,265 | 14.3% | 10.9% | 32,300 23,700 to 44,800 |
| 2020 | 2,800 | 17.5% | 11.5% | 41,600 31,100 to 55,200 |
| 2019 | 3,876 | 15.4% | 13.4% | 42,800 30,600 to 58,600 |
| 2018 | 899 | 7.0% | 15.6% | 30,100 23,800 to 52,100 |
| 2017 | 550 | 21.1% | 18.2% | 65,700 47,100 to 92,100 |
| 2016 | 1,205 | 28.3% | 21.3% | 76,500 55,600 to 101,800 |
| 2015 | 1,391 | 25.1% | 24.4% | 90,800 66,800 to 121,800 |
| 2014 | 1,872 | 29.5% | 27.7% | 95,300 69,200 to 124,400 |
| 2013 | 3,855 | 35.1% | 30.6% | 110,900 84,000 to 138,600 |
| 2012 | 4,818 | 34.6% | 33.4% | 119,000 94,600 to 147,900 |
| 2011 | 3,391 | 33.7% | 36.1% | 121,600 99,900 to 149,100 |
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 508 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 508 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 6.4% | 6.2% | |
| Suspension | 4.9% | 5.0% | |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 4.1% | |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 3.7% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.2% | 2.7% | |
| Body and structure | 1.9% | 1.6% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 1.6% | |
| Steering | 0.6% | 1.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.7%
- Tyre tread2.5%
- Headlamp aim2.1%
- Brake pads2.0%
- Coil spring2.0%
- Number plate light1.7%
- Wipers1.7%
- Washers1.6%
- Driveshaft joint1.4%
- Headlamp1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.1%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.0%
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 edge14.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.1%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play2.9%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.1%
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?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Peugeot 508'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.