Used car guide

2008 LDV Maxus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 LDV Maxuss, from 441 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 441 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

441MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 LDV Maxuss than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.8× usual
    LDV Maxus
    36.5% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance2.5× usual
    LDV Maxus
    16.3% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Wheel bearings4.1× usual
    LDV Maxus
    10.7% All 2008 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Body structure rust or damage4.3× usual
    LDV Maxus
    9.5% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.8% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 LDV Maxus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    58% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    35% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    17% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007692Brakes 53%
2006322Brakes 61%
2005140Brakes 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 LDV Maxuss registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score