Used car guide

2009 Peugeot 308: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Peugeot 308s, from 8,785 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,785MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,400typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Peugeot 308s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Peugeot 308
    20.3% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    23.3% All 2009 cars
    14.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.1% of all 2009 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.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    15.5% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 3.9% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Peugeot 308
    11.5% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Number plate lights1.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    13.9% All 2009 cars
    8.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Sub-frame: 0.8% here, against 7.7% of all 2009 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Peugeot 308 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% 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
    11% 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%
20085,807Suspension 47%
2007588Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Peugeot 308s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score