2011 Peugeot 508: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Peugeot 508?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Peugeot 508 than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Number plate lights2.1× usual
  Peugeot 508

  17.4% All 2011 cars

  8.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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 joints2.9× usual
  Peugeot 508

  10.9% All 2011 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
  Peugeot 508

  7.1% All 2011 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.2% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Peugeot 508 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Peugeot 508 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  37% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  32% 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
  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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Peugeot 508

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2011 Peugeot 508 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2011 Peugeot 508 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Peugeot 508 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?