2023 Peugeot 3008 GT Puretech S/S Auto 1.2L Petrol · CF23 ACV

The defining mechanical story of this 2023 Peugeot 3008 GT is a rear brake wear issue severe enough to result in a Dangerous failure on the same day the vehicle otherwise passed. On 27 May 2026, the MOT tester recorded that the offside rear outer brake pad had worn to less than 1.5 mm thick and classified this as a Dangerous defect, meaning the vehicle was not permitted to leave the test station in that condition. The accompanying advisory noted that the offside rear outer brake disc was badly scored, pitted or worn, although not considered seriously weakened at that point. While there is only a single MOT entry on the file so far, the combination of pad material essentially exhausted and significant disc surface deterioration on a three-year-old vehicle with relatively modest mileage is unusual and suggests either an out-of-balance braking system, a binding or partially seized rear caliper, or neglected brake servicing prior to test. Recorded mileage stands at 17,037 miles across approximately three years of age, equating to an annual accumulation of around 5,679 miles. This is below the typical mileage expected of a modern family SUV and points to predominantly short-trip or low-intensity use rather than sustained motorway driving. Mechanically, such a profile tends to produce less wear on the engine, clutch and major drivetrain components, but it does place additional stress on items that suffer from underuse, notably the braking system where infrequent heavy application can lead to corrosion of the discs and uneven pad wear, as well as the 12V battery, which can sulphate if the vehicle is left standing for extended periods. The discrepancy between low overall mileage and the severity of the rear brake wear recorded is therefore the principal point requiring investigation. Any prospective buyer should focus the test drive on the rear braking system. On a quiet stretch of road, apply the brakes firmly from around 30 mph and listen for any grinding or metallic scraping from the rear offside corner, which would confirm that pads have worn beyond the backing plate and are contacting the metal substrate. On pulling away from a standstill, pay attention to whether the vehicle pulls noticeably to the nearside, which can indicate a binding offside rear caliper failing to release fully and overworking that corner. With the wheel off the ground, a binding caliper will fail to rotate freely and will feel hot shortly after driving. Inspect the offside rear disc surface through the wheel for a deep lip at the outer edge and visible scoring or pitting across the friction face, as the advisory suggests the surface is already badly scored and a renewed pad set will bed in poorly against a damaged disc, potentially requiring replacement of the disc as well. Given the Dangerous classification, the vehicle will have required remedial work before being legally driven again, and it is essential to obtain documentary evidence of what was actually fitted. Confirm whether new rear pads were installed, and whether the offside rear disc was also replaced or merely skimmed, as a badly scored disc typically cannot be recovered by machining alone. After any repair, the rear braking should feel balanced and progressive with no pulling or judder under pedal pressure. Beyond the braking system, listen for any clonks or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the offside where the additional heat generated by a potentially binding caliper can accelerate wear on the brake hoses and rear trailing arm bushes. Finally, verify the operation of the electronic parking brake, as a rear caliper replacement on this generation 3008 typically requires the EPB to be retracted using diagnostic equipment, and a system that was simply forced back by hand can throw up fault codes or fail to hold the vehicle on an incline.