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Peugeot 508 MOT pass rate and common problems

78.7% of 29,292 Peugeot 508 MOT tests pass.

The 508 has a pass rate of 78.7%, a little higher than the average across all Peugeot models (74.1%).

The Peugeot 508's pass rate of 78.7% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.

Own this Peugeot 508?

This is the average across every Peugeot 508 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 declines noticeably with age, from 86.6% at 0–3 years to 72.4% at 10–15 years.

Pass rate by vehicle age band0–3 years86.6%3–6 years87.9%6–10 years78.5%10–15 years72.4%15+ yearsn/a
Peugeot 508 pass rate and average mileage by vehicle age band
Vehicle agePass rateTestsAverage mileage
0–3 years86.6%1,38634,226 miles
3–6 years87.9%8,69645,320 miles
6–10 years78.5%4,85089,414 miles
10–15 years72.4%14,360120,241 miles
15+ yearsno tests recorded0no reading

Common MOT failure reasons for the Peugeot 508

The most common reason the Peugeot 508 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 41.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".

Top MOT failure categories for the Peugeot 508
CategoryShare of failed testsExample
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment41.4%Not working
Tyres30.6%Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Suspension28.7%Fractured or broken
Brakes28.4%Less than 1.5 mm thick
Visibility17.6%Does not clear the windscreen effectively
Body, chassis, structure10.1%Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Noise, emissions and leaks6.6%Inoperative or indicates a malfunction
Steering3.0%Ball joint has excessive play
Road Wheels2.4%Fixing missing
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems1.7%Warning lamp indicates a fault

Buying a used Peugeot 508: what to check

These checks follow the Peugeot 508’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 508 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 87.9% to 78.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.

By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 92.1% down to 84.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.

  1. 1. Lights and electrics

    Recorded in 41.4% of failed Peugeot 508 MOTs. 17.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% 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. 2. Tyres

    Recorded in 30.6% of failed Peugeot 508 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.

  3. 3. Suspension

    Recorded in 28.7% of failed Peugeot 508 MOTs. 11.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.

    Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.

  4. 4. Brakes

    Recorded in 28.4% of failed Peugeot 508 MOTs. 9.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 4.1% 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.

  5. 5. Windscreen and wipers

    Recorded in 17.6% of failed Peugeot 508 MOTs.

    Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Peugeot 508?
78.7% of Peugeot 508 MOT tests pass, based on 29,292 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
What are the most common MOT failures for the Peugeot 508?
The most common reason the Peugeot 508 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 41.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
What are the common problems with the Peugeot 508?
Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Peugeot 508 are lights and electrics; tyres; suspension. 17.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
What should I check when buying a used Peugeot 508?
Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; suspension; brakes; windscreen and wipers. 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 508'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.