2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Number plate lights2.5× usual
  Peugeot 3008

  20.8% All 2009 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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.

• Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
  Peugeot 3008

  18.9% All 2009 cars

  9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Peugeot 3008

  20.1% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Sidelights2.4× usual
  Peugeot 3008

  16.4% All 2009 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 14.2%, against 6% of all 2009 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.

• Track rod ends2.8× usual
  Peugeot 3008

  13.8% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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
  52% 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
  38% 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
  37% 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
  20% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 Peugeot 3008 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.

• Diesel injectors and particulate filter

  Diesel

  Diesel injectors can fail and are very expensive, and particulate filter repairs are costly without regular motorway use.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattles at start-up, look for smoke, and watch for warnings.

  Source: What Car?: used Peugeot 3008 (2009-2016) reliability

• Electrical and heater faults

  All engines

  Electrical faults are the most common problem, and heating and ventilation failures are known.

  At the viewing: Test every electrical item and the heater and air con.

  Source: What Car?: used Peugeot 3008 (2009-2016) reliability

• Fuel pipe and fuel heater recalls

  Some cars

  A fuel return pipe could wear through and leak (built Oct 2009 to July 2010), and a fuel heater cover could overheat a connector (built Sept 2012 to Dec 2014).

  At the viewing: Ask a Peugeot dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Peugeot 3008 (2009-2016) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel

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

1. Have the injectors or DPF been replaced?
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2009 Peugeot 3008 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?