Used car guide

2012 Peugeot 5008: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Peugeot 5008s, from 1,796 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,796MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,300typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Peugeot 5008s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Peugeot 5008
    23.3% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Peugeot 5008
    23.7% All 2012 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2012 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.

  • Brake lights3.3× usual
    Peugeot 5008
    12.4% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 3% of all 2012 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 joint2.5× usual
    Peugeot 5008
    14% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 3% of all 2012 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 lights2.1× usual
    Peugeot 5008
    15.5% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.1% of all 2012 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.

By area

The share of 2012 Peugeot 5008 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • Tyres
    40% 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
    38% 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
    15% 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
    11% 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 5008?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20223,385Tyres 30%
20214,951Tyres 28%
20204,616Tyres 33%
20195,594Tyres 32%
20185,102Tyres 31%
2017746Tyres 33%
20161,729Tyres 36%
20151,693Lights and electrics 36%
20141,594Lights and electrics 41%
20132,084Lights and electrics 44%
20111,497Suspension 48%
20101,618Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Peugeot 5008s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score