2014 Peugeot 308 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Number plate lights2.3× usual
  Peugeot 308

  10.8% All 2014 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.4% of all 2014 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.

• Link ball joint covers4.5× usual
  Peugeot 308

  4.9% All 2014 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.6% of all 2014 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)5.7× usual
  Peugeot 308

  4% All 2014 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Peugeot 308

  6.1% All 2014 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2014 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.

• Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
  Peugeot 308

  5.7% All 2014 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

Common 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  23% 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.

• Brakes
  22% 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
  19% 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
  9% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% 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.

Known faults on the 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol

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.

• Many recalls (23)

  All engines

  Recalls covered fuel leaks that could cause a fire, front subframe corrosion (2020), door latches, turbo and engine oil leaks, starter motors, overheating, airbags, particulate filters and emissions software.

  At the viewing: Ask a Peugeot dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 308 (Mk2, 2013-2021) buyer's guide

• Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

  1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

  The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

  Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

• Knocking rear axle (built to end of 2015)

  Built to 2015

  Cars built up to the end of 2015 could have a damaged rear axle that knocks.

  At the viewing: Listen for metallic knocking from the back over bumps.

  Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 308 (Mk2, 2013-2021) buyer's guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol

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

1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Peugeot dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2014 Peugeot 308 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?