Peugeot 208 MOT pass rate and common problems
78.5% of 295,206 Peugeot 208 MOT tests pass.
The 208 has a pass rate of 78.5%, a little higher than the average across all Peugeot models (74.1%).
The Peugeot 208's pass rate of 78.5% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Peugeot 208?
This is the average across every Peugeot 208 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Peugeot’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Peugeot 208 tested at 0–3 years pass 92.4% of the time, compared with just 68.9% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.4% | 18,379 | 21,899 miles |
| 3–6 years | 87.1% | 64,375 | 30,885 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.4% | 128,058 | 56,045 miles |
| 10–15 years | 68.9% | 84,385 | 74,261 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (9) | 9 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Peugeot 208
The most common reason the Peugeot 208 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 43.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 43.2% | Not working |
| Body, chassis, structure | 24.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 23.8% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Tyres | 22.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 21.1% | Significantly and obviously worn |
| Suspension | 18.7% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Visibility | 12.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 3.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Peugeot 208: what to check
These checks follow the Peugeot 208’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Peugeot 208 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 78.4% to 68.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 80.8% down to 70.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 43.2% of failed Peugeot 208 MOTs. 17.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 24.8% of failed Peugeot 208 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
3. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 23.8% of failed Peugeot 208 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 22.3% of failed Peugeot 208 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 21.1% of failed Peugeot 208 MOTs. 8.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Peugeot service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Peugeot models
- Peugeot 3008 — 78.9% pass rate
- Peugeot Partner — 73.0% pass rate
- Peugeot 207 — 60.4% pass rate
- Peugeot 308 — 71.5% pass rate
- Peugeot 2008 — 81.5% pass rate
- Peugeot 107 — 70.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Peugeot 208?
- 78.5% of Peugeot 208 MOT tests pass, based on 295,206 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Peugeot 208?
- The most common reason the Peugeot 208 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 43.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Peugeot 208?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Peugeot 208 are lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 17.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Peugeot 208?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks; tyres; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Peugeot 208's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Peugeot service history guide for how to check and keep one.