Used car guide

2008 Peugeot 308 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Peugeot 308 first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 13,772 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,772MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
47%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Peugeot 308
    23% All 2008 cars
    14.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
    Peugeot 308
    19.5% All 2008 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2008 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.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Peugeot 308
    12.3% All 2008 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
    Peugeot 308
    12.6% All 2008 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3% of all 2008 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.

  • Brake lights2× usual
    Peugeot 308
    11% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 4.5% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 9.3% of all 2008 cars. Exhaust system: 1.8% here, against 8.6% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    43% 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
    41% 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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% 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 2008 Peugeot 308 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel

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

  1. Has the DPF had any work?
  2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2008 Peugeot 308 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 308?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Peugeot 308 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023198Tyres 13%
20223,930Tyres 28%
20213,259Tyres 21%
202011,235Tyres 25%
201921,284Tyres 30%
201825,239Tyres 30%
201727,414Tyres 31%
201643,573Tyres 32%
201541,816Tyres 34%
201436,050Tyres 36%
201330,664Tyres 36%
201229,841Tyres 37%
201128,187Suspension 37%
201036,124Tyres 38%
200933,439Suspension 42%
20072,653Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Peugeot 308 cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score