2008 Peugeot 207 — MOT failures & pass rate
169,954 MOT tests on the 2008 Peugeot 207 are in this dataset, and 69.6% of them passed. That is 3.6 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 26.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests against 14.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, position lamp and headlamp aim — joints alone was recorded 16,707 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.7% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 13.9-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.2% of the time against 30.8% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 33,943 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 23,841 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 20,999 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 15,351 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 12,804 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 9,651 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 16,707 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 14,218 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 12,150 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 11,098 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 9,991 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 8,778 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.4% | 51,630 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.7% | 43,720 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.5% | 40,002 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.5% | 34,884 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 30,561 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 29,178 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,470 | 18.7% |
| 30-60k | 29,343 | 26.0% |
| 60-90k | 62,080 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 46,548 | 32.7% |
| 120-150k | 19,813 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 8,598 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 110,275 | 30.2% |
| Diesel | 59,675 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,328 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 39,911 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 34,291 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 27,854 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 21,570 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 207
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Peugeot 207s pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 169,954 2008 Peugeot 207 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Peugeot 207?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2008 207 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 169,954 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.