2018 Peugeot 508 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,253 MOT tests on the 2018 Peugeot 508 are in this dataset, and 88.3% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 12.3%, so the 2018 508 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.3%) and lighting & signalling (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 73 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 0-30k band and 18.0% in the 120-150k band, a 9.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 119 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 73 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.2% | 72 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 61 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 34 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 73 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 71 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 43 |
| 4 | Wipers | 42 |
| 5 | Washers | 33 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 22 |
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 | 21.9% | 493 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.3% | 367 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 119 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 69 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 67 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 61 |
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 | 767 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 928 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 353 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 18.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,037 | 11.3% |
| Petrol | 216 | 15.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 454 | 10.1% |
| 2022 | 452 | 10.6% |
| 2023 | 445 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 427 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 475 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 508
On a 2018 508, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.2% 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 2018 Peugeot 508s pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 2,253 2018 Peugeot 508 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Peugeot 508?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.2%).
Does the 2018 508 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,253 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.