Used car guide

2008 Peugeot 308: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Peugeot 308s, from 5,807 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,807MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Peugeot 308s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    24.2% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    13.5% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Brake lights1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    10.8% All 2008 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 4.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint1.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    10.6% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.1× usual
    Peugeot 308
    4.6% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Sub-frame: 1.5% here, against 7.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Peugeot 308 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    39% 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
    26% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% 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 308?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20223,180Tyres 29%
20211,571Tyres 23%
20203,773Tyres 28%
20197,138Tyres 31%
20188,421Tyres 31%
20179,083Tyres 33%
201614,317Tyres 33%
201513,636Tyres 35%
201411,636Tyres 37%
20139,743Tyres 38%
20129,174Suspension 39%
20118,384Suspension 42%
201010,204Suspension 41%
20098,785Suspension 45%
2007588Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Peugeot 308s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score