PEUGEOT 308 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,908 MOT tests from 636 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every PEUGEOT 308 has the same fault.

PEUGEOT 308's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 580/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PEUGEOT 308 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the PEUGEOT 308.

PEUGEOT 308 (example)

Check a Peugeot 308 before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	715/999Very good	83,195 miles	2,259 vehicles
Petrol	2019	763/999Very good	75,606 miles	2,221 vehicles
Diesel	2016	674/999Good	81,373 miles	4,933 vehicles
Petrol	2016	745/999Very good	74,274 miles	3,303 vehicles
Diesel	2015	579/999Above average	78,005 miles	8,801 vehicles
Petrol	2015	705/999Very good	77,242 miles	2,996 vehicles
Petrol	2014	678/999Good	81,412 miles	2,512 vehicles
Diesel	2012	557/999Above average	80,125 miles	8,945 vehicles
Petrol	2012	535/999Above average	74,048 miles	1,420 vehicles
Petrol	2011	488/999Average	77,128 miles	2,074 vehicles
Diesel	2010	486/999Average	81,869 miles	3,843 vehicles
Petrol	2008	452/999Average	89,809 miles	3,009 vehicles
Diesel	2008	448/999Average	80,156 miles	4,289 vehicles
Petrol	2007	436/999Average	89,632 miles	2,660 vehicles
Diesel	2007	433/999Average	79,671 miles	3,185 vehicles

How reliable is the PEUGEOT 308?

Based on 6,908 MOT tests from 636 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

636

MOT tests

6,908

Pass rate

77.3%

Median mileage

81,774 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PEUGEOT 308 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 682 out of 999.

Common PEUGEOT 308 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,256 advisory comments and 156 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 625 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 360 advisory comments and 66 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 201 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 125 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 36 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: REGISTRATION PLATE LAMP INOPERATIVE IN THE CASE OF A SINGLE LAMP OR ALL LAMPS (4.7.1 (B) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

PEUGEOT 308 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2025	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	10	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	9	8	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2022	17	40	90%	Tyre wear, Seatbelt faults
2021	8	23	78.3%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2020	21	76	84.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	32	187	85%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	48	326	82.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	53	453	81.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	79	784	79.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	68	765	76.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	65	762	77.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	29	388	76.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	41	618	74.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	30	483	80.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	55	946	74.6%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2009	28	561	71.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008	15	292	74.3%	Tyre wear, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used PEUGEOT 308

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a PEUGEOT 308?

Common problems tell you what can affect PEUGEOT 308s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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