Peugeot 208 MOT Failure Rate
Key Findings for the Peugeot 208
- Overall MOT failure rate: 24.7% — 3.3pp below the UK average (28%)
- Highest-risk component: Lamps & Electrics (4.9% failure risk)
- Most reliable age group: 0-2 years (9.0% failure rate)
- Highest-risk age group: 11-15 years (40.5% failure rate)
- Based on 793,679 official DVSA MOT tests
Failure Rate by Vehicle Age
How the Peugeot 208 MOT failure rate changes with age:
| Age | Failure Rate | Tests | Worst Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | 9.0% | 54,102 | Tyres |
| 3-5 years | 15.9% | 220,001 | Lamps & Electrics |
| 6-10 years | 29.2% | 482,568 | Lamps & Electrics |
| 11-15 years | 40.5% | 37,005 | Lamps & Electrics |
Component Risk Breakdown
Which parts of the Peugeot 208 are most likely to cause an MOT failure:
Peugeot 208 by Age Group
See detailed MOT failure data for each age group:
What Peugeot 208 Owners Should Watch For
Based on the MOT test data for the Peugeot 208, here are the key areas to pay attention to before your MOT:
- Lamps & Electrics (4.9% failure risk) — Walk around the car and check every bulb — headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and number plate lights. This is one of the cheapest and easiest fixes.
- Body & Chassis (3.3% failure risk) — Inspect the underside and sills for rust holes, particularly around structural mounting points. Corrosion that weakens the structure within 30cm of a mounting point is an automatic fail.
- Tyres (2.6% failure risk) — Ensure all tyres have at least 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters. Check for sidewall damage, bulges, and uneven wear.
Many of these issues are inexpensive to fix when caught early. A pre-MOT inspection at a local garage typically costs £20–£40 and can save you the cost of a retest (£15–£30) plus the inconvenience of a failed MOT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT failure rate for a Peugeot 208?
The Peugeot 208 has an overall MOT failure rate of 24.7%, based on 793,679 MOT tests recorded in the DVSA database. This is below the UK national average of approximately 28%.
What are the most common MOT failures on a Peugeot 208?
The most common areas for MOT failure on a Peugeot 208 are:
- Lamps & Electrics — 4.9% failure risk
- Body & Chassis — 3.3% failure risk
- Tyres — 2.6% failure risk
These component risks are weighted averages across all age and mileage bands in the dataset.
Is the Peugeot 208 reliable for MOT?
The Peugeot 208 has a 24.7% failure rate, which is close to the UK average of 28%. It's neither particularly unreliable nor exceptionally reliable for MOT purposes.
How does the Peugeot 208 MOT failure rate change with age?
The failure rate increases significantly with vehicle age. Newer Peugeot 208 models (0-2 years) have a relatively low 9.0% failure rate, while older examples (11-15 years) see failure rates rise to 40.5%. This pattern is common across most vehicle models and reflects increased wear on mechanical components over time.
How can I reduce the risk of my Peugeot 208 failing its MOT?
The most effective steps are: (1) Check all lights and bulbs before your test — lighting failures are the most common and cheapest to fix. (2) Inspect tyre tread depth and condition. (3) Test your windscreen washers and wipers. (4) Listen for unusual noises from brakes or suspension. (5) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. You can also use our free prediction tool to get a personalised risk breakdown for your specific vehicle.
Where can I check the MOT history of a Peugeot 208?
You can check any vehicle's full MOT history for free on the official DVSA service. This shows all previous test results, advisory items, and failure reasons. AutoSafe goes further by analysing this data with AI to predict your future MOT outcome.
Check Your Specific Peugeot 208
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Other Peugeot Models
Compare the Peugeot 208 MOT failure rate against other Peugeot models:
How Peugeot 208 Compares to Rivals
See how the Peugeot 208 stacks up against similar models:
Peugeot 208 vs. Rivals
Similar Failure Rate Models
These models from other manufacturers have a similar MOT failure rate to the Peugeot 208:
Related Guides
- Top 10 MOT Failure Points & How to Avoid Them
- Pre-MOT Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before Your Test
- MOT Failure Rates by Car Make and Model
- How to Check MOT History
Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component risks represent the probability of failure in each specific area. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.
Trust signals: Risk model: CatBoost v55 • Data source: DVSA Open Data (OGL v3) • Last updated: 2026-03-08 • Limitation: population averages; individual vehicle condition, service history and mileage may vary.
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