Peugeot 208 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Peugeot 208 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 195,338 UK MOT tests of the Peugeot 208 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 8% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 80× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (18×); catalyst emissions (Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits) (11×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (7.8×). The most common reasons a Peugeot 208 fails its MOT are joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); headlamp (not working on dipped beam); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Peugeot 208
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Peugeot 208 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8% | 0.1% | 80× | 301 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.6% | 0.2% | 18× | 22,986 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.5% | 0.4% | 11× | 24,548 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 7.8% | 1% | 7.8× | 12,405 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5% | 0.7% | 7.1× | 17,933 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.5% | 1.1% | 4.1× | 18,768 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.3% | 0.7% | 4.7× | 3,998 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9.3% | 1.8% | 5.2× | 301 |
Peugeot 208 by mileage (2014–2016 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3,998 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (4.3%, 21×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 20,384 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (9%, 18×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 28,498 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (9.8%, 20×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 18,768 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (9.6%, 19×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7,673 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 21×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 2,464 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 22×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 811 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (12%, 29×) |
Peugeot 208 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 14,762 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (25×) |
| 2013 | 33,722 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (24×) |
| 2014 | 29,324 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (23×) |
| 2015 | 27,742 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (29×) |
| 2016 | 25,919 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (38×) |
| 2017 | 17,694 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (53×) |
| 2018 | 15,358 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (46×) |
| 2019 | 17,043 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (80×) |
| 2020 | 13,071 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (51×) |
| 2021 | 669 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Peugeot 208?
In 195,338 UK MOT tests of the Peugeot 208 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 8% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 80× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (18×); catalyst emissions (Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits) (11×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (7.8×). The most common reasons a Peugeot 208 fails its MOT are joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); headlamp (not working on dipped beam); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps).
Why do Peugeot 208s fail the MOT?
Across 195,338 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Peugeot 208 were joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6% of tests); headlamp (not working on dipped beam) (4.8% of tests); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (4% of tests).
At what mileage do Peugeot 208 problems start?
The clearest Peugeot 208-specific issue, exhaust system (mounting defective), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2018–2020 cars (8% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Peugeot 208 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 195,338 tests of the Peugeot 208. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.