2018 Peugeot 208 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Number plate lights10.6× usual
  Peugeot 208

  14.9% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 0.5% 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 system16.9× usual
  Peugeot 208

  13.5% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, 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.

• Brake discs2× usual
  Peugeot 208

  19.9% All 2018 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

• Headlights5× usual
  Peugeot 208

  5% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 0.9% 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.8× usual
  Peugeot 208

  6.4% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

Common 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  26% 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
  25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% 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.

• Suspension
  11% 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.

• 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.

Known faults on the 2018 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 2018 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 10.6× as often on the 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 16.9× as often on the 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2018 Peugeot 208 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?