Used car guide

2018 Peugeot 308: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Peugeot 308s, from 8,421 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,421MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,200typical miles a year
14.6×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Peugeot 308s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints14.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    7.3% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

  • Number plate lights3.7× usual
    Peugeot 308
    6.7% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, 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.

  • Exhaust system2.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    3.2% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

  • Headlights2.5× usual
    Peugeot 308
    2.8% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    2.7% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Peugeot 308 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    24% 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.

  • Suspension
    17% 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
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    4% 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%
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%
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 2018 Peugeot 308s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score