2016 Peugeot 508 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,637 MOT tests on the 2016 Peugeot 508 are in this dataset, and 83.8% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 15.3%, so the 2016 508 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 (6.3%) and tyres (5.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, tread depth and registration plate lamp(s) — joints alone was recorded 284 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.4% in the 0-30k band and 16.6% in the 150k+ band, a 8.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 358 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.3% | 301 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.4% | 248 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.9% | 222 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.6% | 203 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 113 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 284 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 223 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 183 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 150 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 149 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 136 |
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 | 23.1% | 1,301 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.4% | 1,093 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 428 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.2% | 407 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.4% | 305 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 292 |
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 | 439 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,855 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,649 | 17.5% |
| 90-120k | 968 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 425 | 20.5% |
| 150k+ | 301 | 16.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,149 | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 1,160 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 1,129 | 16.0% |
| 2024 | 1,128 | 19.2% |
| 2025 | 1,071 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 508
On a 2016 508, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.3% 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 (4.4% 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 2016 Peugeot 508s pass their MOT?
83.8% of the 5,637 2016 Peugeot 508 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Peugeot 508?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by tyres (5.3%).
Does the 2016 508 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 16.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,637 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.