2019 Peugeot 208 — MOT failures & pass rate
75,930 MOT tests on the 2019 Peugeot 208 are in this dataset, and 90.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 10.0%, so the 2019 208 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.7%) and tyres (3.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), headlamp and joints — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 3,022 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.9% versus 6.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (12.0% vs 9.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 5,116 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.9% | 2,964 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 1,834 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 1,330 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 858 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 672 |
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) | 3,022 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,790 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,327 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,062 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 760 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 751 |
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 | 22.5% | 17,080 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.5% | 10,987 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 4,928 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.3% | 4,022 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 3,594 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.9% | 2,976 |
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 | 45,401 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 26,025 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,904 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 517 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 71,180 | 9.5% |
| Diesel | 4,746 | 12.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,091 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 18,143 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 18,378 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 18,826 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 19,492 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 208
On a 2019 208, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.9% 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 (2.4% 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 2019 Peugeot 208s pass their MOT?
90.4% of the 75,930 2019 Peugeot 208 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Peugeot 208?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by tyres (3.9%).
Does the 2019 208 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 23.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 75,930 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.