2012 Peugeot 208 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Exhaust system3.6× usual
  Peugeot 208

  18.2% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.2× usual
  Peugeot 208

  15.9% All 2012 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Number plate lights2.1× usual
  Peugeot 208

  14.3% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Peugeot 208

  15.7% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.9% 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.

• Battery7.2× usual
  Peugeot 208

  3.6% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

Common 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  33% 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
  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.

• Brakes
  30% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  16% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Steering and ABS warnings

  The electric steering rack and ABS module can fail.

  At the viewing: Check there are no steering or ABS warning lights, and the steering isn’t heavy.

  Source: Car Mechanics: buying a Peugeot 208 (2012-2019)

• Worn suspension parts

  Top mounts, rear shocks, springs and anti-roll bar links wear.

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over bumps.

  Source: Car Mechanics: buying a Peugeot 208 (2012-2019)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Peugeot 208 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?