2008 Peugeot 307 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,897 MOT tests, the 2008 Peugeot 307 recorded a 70.9% pass rate. That is 3.0 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.3% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 1,275 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.6% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.2pp more often than petrol ones (30.5% vs 28.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 2,901 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 1,959 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 1,438 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 1,301 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 1,094 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,076 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,275 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,100 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,096 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 788 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 770 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 608 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.0% | 5,250 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.8% | 4,898 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.9% | 4,598 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.8% | 3,943 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 2,976 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 1,965 |
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 | 207 | 21.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,871 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 5,272 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 4,845 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,445 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,238 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,811 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 6,086 | 30.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,330 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 3,860 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 3,160 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 2,612 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 1,935 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 307
On a 2008 307, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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.
- Brakes (9.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 307s pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 15,897 2008 Peugeot 307 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Peugeot 307?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2008 307 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,897 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.