2011 Peugeot 508 — MOT failures & pass rate
18,356 MOT tests on the 2011 Peugeot 508 are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (22.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests against 8.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,033 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.3% in the 0-30k band and 24.7% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 2,250 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 1,639 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.7% | 1,226 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.2% | 1,128 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 719 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 455 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,033 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 929 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 810 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 643 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 593 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 554 |
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 | 29.8% | 5,471 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.9% | 4,757 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.1% | 4,051 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 2,847 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.0% | 1,646 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 1,603 |
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 | 91 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 901 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,386 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,595 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,504 | 24.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,873 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,973 | 22.3% |
| Petrol | 383 | 20.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,288 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 4,124 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 3,767 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 3,310 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 2,867 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 508
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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.
- Tyres (6.7% 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.
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 2011 Peugeot 508s pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 18,356 2011 Peugeot 508 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Peugeot 508?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2011 508 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,356 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.