2012 Peugeot 508 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,679 MOT tests, the 2012 Peugeot 508 recorded a 78.0% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 21.5%, so the 2012 508 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.3%) and suspension (8.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,247 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 25.0% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.0% 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 | 11.3% | 2,778 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 2,111 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,676 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.0% | 1,481 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 945 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 695 |
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 | 1,247 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,229 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,122 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 770 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 758 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 654 |
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 | 29.4% | 7,245 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.1% | 6,197 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.9% | 5,398 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 3,554 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 2,366 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 2,042 |
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 | 89 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,415 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,992 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 7,586 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 5,769 | 23.6% |
| 150k+ | 4,818 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,248 | 22.1% |
| Petrol | 227 | 17.6% |
| Electric | 86 | 29.1% |
| Hybrid | 62 | 27.4% |
| Other | 56 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,560 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 5,358 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 5,076 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 4,584 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 4,101 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 508
On a 2012 508, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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 (6.8% 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 2012 Peugeot 508s pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 24,679 2012 Peugeot 508 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Peugeot 508?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 2012 508 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,679 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.