Used car guide

2016 Peugeot 308: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Peugeot 308s, from 14,317 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,317MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,300typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Peugeot 308s than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Number plate lights4.1× usual
    Peugeot 308
    13.1% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints6.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    6.6% All 2016 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.5× usual
    Peugeot 308
    6.6% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Exhaust system2.4× usual
    Peugeot 308
    4.8% All 2016 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    5.9% All 2016 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.9% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Peugeot 308 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% 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.

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%
201513,636Tyres 35%
201411,636Tyres 37%
20139,743Tyres 38%
20129,174Suspension 39%
20118,384Suspension 42%
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 2016 Peugeot 308s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score