2016 Peugeot 208 — MOT failures & pass rate
151,047 MOT tests on the 2016 Peugeot 208 are in this dataset, and 84.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (15.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests against 5.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), headlamp and joints — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 5,303 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.3% once past 150k — 3.0× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 14.6% fail against 18.5% for diesel, a 3.9-point gap across 151,047 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 12,820 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.1% | 7,725 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 6,372 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 4,908 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.2% | 4,780 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 3,452 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 5,303 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 5,198 |
| 3 | Joints | 4,072 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3,099 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 2,945 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 2,691 |
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 | 26.4% | 39,932 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.6% | 28,174 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 14,510 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 14,343 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 12,367 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.9% | 8,857 |
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 | 33,008 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 76,385 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 33,296 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,839 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,228 | 25.2% |
| 150k+ | 281 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 123,694 | 14.6% |
| Diesel | 27,353 | 18.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,217 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 30,084 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 30,288 | 15.3% |
| 2024 | 30,680 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 30,778 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 208
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.2% 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 2016 Peugeot 208s pass their MOT?
84.7% of the 151,047 2016 Peugeot 208 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Peugeot 208?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by tyres (5.1%).
Does the 2016 208 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 151,047 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.