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Peugeot 208 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

218,874 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2012–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 11 Peugeot 208 years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

70.4%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 70.2% to 70.6%.

In 2025, 70.4% of the 218,874 initial MOT tests on Peugeot 208 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 75.7%. That is 5.3 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific 208

Its own MOT history, free.

Peugeot 208 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 317,20318,90087.5%±0.6−1.0 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 414,48626,70082.6%±0.7−4.6 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 513,26330,50081.0%±0.7−5.0 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 616,98834,70077.5%±0.7−6.0 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 715,21242,30073.1%±0.8−7.8 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 817,42050,20070.6%±0.7−7.6 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 925,40256,90070.3%±0.6−4.6 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 1026,78162,60068.3%±0.6−3.6 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 1127,80368,30062.4%±0.6−6.2 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 1230,98875,40059.6%±0.6−6.2 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 1313,32880,80058.2%±0.9−5.3 ptsall: 63.5%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Peugeot 208 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

86.0% of Peugeot 208 tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 52.8% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 89.2% and 63.0%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,00049,79486.0%±0.4−3.2 ptsall: 89.2%
30,000–59,99980,32673.5%±0.4−6.2 ptsall: 79.7%
60,000–89,99959,77961.2%±0.4−8.6 ptsall: 69.8%
90,000–119,99922,25254.3%±0.7−10.2 ptsall: 64.5%
120,000 or more6,65352.8%±1.3−10.2 ptsall: 63.0%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, 208 tests were below average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Peugeot 208 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 70 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common 208 problems at the MOT

Share of the 64,789 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a 208

Based on the areas where Peugeot 208 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 38.3% of failed 208 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Body, chassis, structure

    In 23.1% of failed 208 tests

    • Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
    • Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot. They should latch properly.
    • Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.

  3. Noise, emissions, leaks

    In 21.2% of failed 208 tests

    • Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
    • Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
    • Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.

  4. Suspension

    In 20.5% of failed 208 tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a 208's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Peugeot 208 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Peugeot 208 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.5% failed on tyres, against 4.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 25,681 and 83,932 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory8.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 10.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 9.9% of the others.

Brakes

Of Peugeot 208 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.8% failed on brakes, against 3.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 17,819 and 91,846 cars.

  • With a brake advisory7.8%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 11.1% of those with a brake advisory and 9.9% of the others.

Suspension

Of Peugeot 208 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.5% failed on suspension, against 6.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 10,157 and 99,196 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory10.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 12.1% of those with a suspension advisory and 9.9% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Peugeot 208 questions

Which Peugeot 208 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2012–2022. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Peugeot 208 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 70.4% of initial MOT tests on Peugeot 208 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 75.7%. That is 5.3 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Peugeot 208 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 38.3% of failed tests), body, chassis, structure (in 23.1% of failed tests) and noise, emissions, leaks (in 21.2% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Peugeot 208?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Peugeot 208 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 62,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific 208's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Peugeot 208

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Peugeot models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 18 Peugeot modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Peugeot 208 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count