2017 Peugeot 208 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 101,582 MOT tests, the 2017 Peugeot 208 recorded an 86.2% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 13.4%, so the 2017 208 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.2% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), joints and headlamp — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 4,105 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.8% in the 0-30k band and 26.0% in the 150k+ band, a 18.1-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 13.6% of the time against 15.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 8,361 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.0% | 5,047 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 4,726 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 2,663 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 1,861 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 1,719 |
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) | 4,105 |
| 2 | Joints | 3,742 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 3,563 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,023 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,686 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 1,555 |
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 | 25.1% | 25,443 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.5% | 17,804 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 8,444 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 7,908 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.0% | 7,165 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.6% | 5,680 |
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 | 34,404 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 48,476 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 15,289 | 21.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,791 | 24.5% |
| 120-150k | 489 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 127 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 87,296 | 13.6% |
| Diesel | 14,286 | 15.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,383 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 20,143 | 11.4% |
| 2023 | 20,375 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 20,709 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 20,972 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2017 208
On a 2017 208, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (4.7% 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 2017 Peugeot 208s pass their MOT?
86.2% of the 101,582 2017 Peugeot 208 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Peugeot 208?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by tyres (5.0%).
Does the 2017 208 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 101,582 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.