Used car guide

2011 Peugeot 308: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Peugeot 308s, from 8,384 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,384MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,900typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Peugeot 308s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Peugeot 308
    10.3% All 2011 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Braking performance1.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    8.8% All 2011 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    7.8% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Anti-lock braking system3.4× usual
    Peugeot 308
    2.4% All 2011 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.7% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Sub-frame: 0.8% here, against 5.9% of all 2011 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Peugeot 308 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    38% 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
    36% 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
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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%
201010,204Suspension 41%
20098,785Suspension 45%
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 2011 Peugeot 308s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score