Family hatchback · 2006–2021 cars

Peugeot 308 reliability

The Peugeot 308 fails 35.2% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 455,308 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 34/100#47 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Peugeot 308 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 35.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 18% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 455,308; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,000; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Peugeot 308 has a below-average MOT record. Its first-time fail rate is 35.2%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it ranks 47 of 65 family hatchback models. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 18% more MOT fails. The weakest area is body, chassis and structure, with 74% more fails there than comparable cars.

That does not rule it out. A well-kept 308 can be a good buy if you check the right things. The 2020 cars did best, with 4% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2013 was the weakest year at 30% more. Whichever car you view, check the coil springs, CV joint boots, tyre tread (below 1.6mm fails) and stop lamps.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Peugeot 308 ages

Each point is the share of Peugeot 308s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Peugeot 308All cars

Peugeot 308 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Peugeot 308	All cars
3	13.9%	12.3%
4	16.5%	14.1%
5	20.3%	16.4%
6	23.4%	19.1%
7	27%	22.1%
8	31%	25.5%
9	35.8%	28.8%
10	38.7%	31.8%
11	40.9%	34.6%
12	44.7%	37.3%
13	47.9%	39.5%
14	49.4%	41.1%
15	51.1%	42.3%
16	53.3%	42.9%
17	53.6%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Peugeot 308 years

2020 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Peugeot 308 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	732	11.5%	19% fewer fails	35,042
2020 308	5,648	13.5%	4% more fails	29,260
2019 308	17,673	15%	5% more fails	34,541
2018 308	27,332	18.5%	16% more fails	41,552
2017 308	30,096	21.3%	13% more fails	51,110
2016 308	49,032	25.7%	18% more fails	61,026
2015 308	47,471	28.2%	11% more fails	70,343
2014 308	41,267	32.8%	16% more fails	75,094
2013 308	35,580	40.2%	30% more fails	79,919
2012 308	35,781	39.6%	16% more fails	87,779
2011 308	34,407	39.8%	9% more fails	89,338
2010 308	46,235	46.5%	20% more fails	93,301
2009 308	45,405	48.6%	20% more fails	96,495
2008 308	34,647	51.4%	23% more fails	99,205
2007 308	3,997	53.4%	25% more fails	101,139

Common problems

What fails most on a Peugeot 308

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 74% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics14.3%21% above avg
Suspension11%13% above avg
Tyres8%20% above avg
Brakes8%17% above avg
Body, chassis and structure5.8%74% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.7%49% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%1% above avg
Steering3%53% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%15% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.03% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.94% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.29% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Stop lamp not working 2.62% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.61% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
6
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.16% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.14% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
8
Registration plate lamp not working 2.13% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Peugeot 308's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.15%
Brake disc pitted or scored12.08%
Brake pads wearing thin8.74%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.33%
Engine oil leak, not excessive6.01%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.23%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Peugeot 308

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Peugeot 308 covers about 9,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel68.7%
Petrol31.3%
Hybrid0%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Grey, Black, Blue, Silver, White

Average engine size: 1.5 litres.

Compare

How the Peugeot 308 compares with its rivals

Peugeot 308 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Toyota Prius	20.9%	31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 2 Series	14.3%	20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Auris	26.2%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Ceed	32.7%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 308	35.2%	18% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Megane	45.1%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C4	39.4%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Peugeot models.

Questions

Peugeot 308 questions, answered

Is the Peugeot 308 reliable?

On MOT results, the Peugeot 308 is below average: it fails 35.2% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 47 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Peugeot 308 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Peugeot 308 are coil spring fractured or broken (4.03% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.94% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.29% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.3% of its tests.

Which Peugeot 308 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (4% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (30% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Peugeot 308 do a year?

A typical Peugeot 308 covers about 9,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Peugeot 308 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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