2012 Peugeot 308 1.6L Diesel · BJ62 FUT

The 2012 Peugeot 308 presents a stable and reassuring maintenance trend based on the available DVSA MOT records. The most recent test, conducted on 23 September 2022 at 136,636 miles, passed with zero defects recorded. This clean bill of health at such a high mileage is a strong indicator that the vehicle has been maintained to a reasonable standard in recent years. However, a significant gap exists between the last recorded test and today's date of 18 June 2026, meaning the car has been without a valid MOT for nearly four years. This extended lapse raises immediate questions about its current roadworthiness and whether it has been stored, used on a SORN, or simply left untested. The mileage accumulation pattern tells a clear story of a vehicle that saw heavy use early in its life before being largely parked. Between the test on 29 September 2020 at 74,519 miles and the test on 27 September 2021 at 110,617 miles, the car covered 36,098 miles in a single year, an unusually high figure suggesting intensive commuting or long-distance use. Yet in the following twelve months, from September 2021 to September 2022, the odometer barely moved, climbing only from 110,617 to 136,636 miles, which is a discrepancy worth noting as the 2022 pass is recorded at the higher figure. Since that September 2022 test, the mileage has remained static at 136,636, confirming the car has not been driven in nearly four years. A vehicle standing idle for that long can develop flat-spotted tyres, seized brake calipers, deteriorated rubber bushes, and fuel system issues, none of which would appear on a historical MOT record. A buyer should approach this car with caution and conduct a thorough in-person inspection focused on components that deteriorate through age and inactivity rather than mileage alone. The tyres deserve close scrutiny, as rubber perishes over time regardless of tread depth, and a four-year stationary period almost certainly means replacement is needed. Brake discs and calipers should be checked for surface corrosion and binding, since standing vehicles commonly suffer from pads sticking to discs. Suspension bushes, particularly the rear trailing arm and front lower arm bushes common on the 308, may have perished. The exhaust system and underbody should be inspected for corrosion, as a car of this age that has sat may have developed moisture traps in the floor pan or sills. Fuel quality is another concern, as stale petrol can cause running issues and damage injectors. Despite the clean MOT history, the prolonged absence from testing means no recent independent verification of the vehicle's condition exists. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly advised before committing to any transaction.