Used car guide

2018 Peugeot 2008: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Peugeot 2008s, from 16,000 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

16,000MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,600typical miles a year
9.1×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Peugeot 2008s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Number plate lights9.1× usual
    Peugeot 2008
    16.3% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Brake discs2.1× usual
    Peugeot 2008
    22.8% All 2018 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Exhaust system8.7× usual
    Peugeot 2008
    9.6% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints6.1× usual
    Peugeot 2008
    6.7% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Headlights3.8× usual
    Peugeot 2008
    4.2% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2018 Peugeot 2008 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Suspension
    8% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Peugeot 2008?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023727Tyres 16%
202213,311Tyres 24%
202116,375Tyres 23%
202011,028Tyres 27%
201915,241Tyres 29%
201716,484Tyres 30%
201618,093Tyres 30%
201516,756Tyres 32%
201415,094Tyres 34%
20133,321Lights and electrics 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Peugeot 2008s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score