2008 Peugeot Boxer — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Peugeot Boxer passed 81.9% of its 13,743 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (28.8% fail rate), the 2008 Boxer comes out 10.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.0% of all tests — 7.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 794 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.3% in the 0-30k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 17.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 16.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 1,791 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.0% | 822 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 802 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 653 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 523 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 502 |
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 | 794 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 412 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 380 |
| 4 | Washers | 374 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 374 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 370 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.1% | 2,209 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 2,055 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.3% | 1,964 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.8% | 1,757 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 1,361 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 1,058 |
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 | 2,952 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 6,037 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,436 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,098 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,127 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,077 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,916 | 17.2% |
| 2022 | 2,856 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 2,781 | 17.9% |
| 2024 | 2,608 | 18.7% |
| 2025 | 2,582 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Boxer
On a 2008 Boxer, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.0% 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.
- Suspension (5.8% 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.
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 Boxers pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 13,743 2008 Peugeot Boxer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Peugeot Boxer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by brakes (6.0%).
Does the 2008 Boxer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,743 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.