Peugeot 208 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 195,515 MOT tests on the Peugeot 208 carried out in 2023. 27% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 208s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2012 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2021 models did best (93% passed, +2.0 points against the average for 2-year-old cars), while 2013 models fared worst (63%, −5.0 points). Tested cars had covered 50,468 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 10.6% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt", on 4.0% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 195,515
- First-time pass rate
- 73%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +2.0 points
- Average mileage at test
- 50,468
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular 208?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
208 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 669 | 93% | 91% | +2.0 points | 20,761 |
| 2020 | 13,179 | 88% | 88% | +0.8 points | 19,597 |
| 2019 | 17,048 | 87% | 86% | +1.2 points | 25,343 |
| 2018 | 15,361 | 82% | 84% | −2.4 points | 33,076 |
| 2017 | 17,696 | 77% | 82% | −4.4 points | 40,855 |
| 2016 | 25,923 | 76% | 79% | −2.7 points | 47,986 |
| 2015 | 27,749 | 74% | 75% | −1.9 points | 54,206 |
| 2014 | 29,331 | 67% | 72% | −4.6 points | 60,584 |
| 2013 | 33,733 | 63% | 68% | −5.0 points | 68,654 |
| 2012 | 14,792 | 61% | 66% | −4.4 points | 73,726 |
Why the Peugeot 208 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | 208 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.6% | 11.3% |
| Body and structure | 7.1% | 3.5% |
| Tyres | 5.4% | 6.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | 3.1% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 4.0% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 2.9% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.5% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.0%
- 2not working on dipped beam3.0%
- 3not working2.9%
- 4inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.7%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
- 6system insecure2.0%
- 7Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.8%
- 8inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.7%
- 9ball joint excessively worn1.6%
- 10provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
Common 208 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used 208, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 13.7% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 12.3% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.3% |
| system insecure | Body and structure | 7.5% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.4% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.0% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 4.0% |
| has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body and structure | 2.9% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.4% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.0% |
Tips to help your 208 pass
Based on where 208s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 10.6% of 208 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Body and structure · 7.1% of 208 tests
Look underneath for corrosion
On older cars, check sills, subframe mounts and brake pipes for rust. Surface rust is common, but corrosion on structural or brake parts is a fail.
Compare with other models
Is the 208 ULEZ compliant? See the Peugeot 208 ULEZ check, or view all Peugeot models.
Other Peugeot models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 195,515 first MOT tests of the Peugeot 208 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 195,515 first MOT tests of the Peugeot 208.
What is the Peugeot 208 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 27% of 195,515 first MOT attempts on the Peugeot 208 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Peugeot 208 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (10.6% of tests), body and structure (7.1% of tests), tyres (5.4% of tests).
Which 208 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2021 cars performed best: 93% passed first time, +2.0 points against the average for 2-year-old cars. The weakest was 2013, at 63% (−5.0 points).
How many miles had a typical Peugeot 208 covered at its MOT?
The average was 50,468 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 20,761 miles and 2012 cars 73,726.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Peugeot 208?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 13.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.4% of 208s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific 208's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 195,515 208s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 61% to 93% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readMOT advisories explained: what they mean and what to fix firstHalf of all cars tested in 2023 left with at least one advisory. They don't fail the MOT, but they're the tester's warning of what's coming next.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any 208's MOT history
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