2018 Peugeot 3008 1.5L Diesel · CV18 FDM

The defining mechanical story of this 2018 Peugeot 3008 centres squarely on its braking system and front anti-roll bar, which together account for every failure and most advisories in the recorded history. The vehicle first presented brake concerns at the 2022 test, where the front braking system was noted as imbalanced and only just meeting requirements, with 30 percent imbalance recorded alongside a slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint. By the 2023 test, the rear brake discs had deteriorated to a dangerous condition, seriously weakened on both sides, with rear brake pads found to be less than 1.5 mm thick on both sides, the minimum legal threshold, while front brake pads and discs were already flagged as wearing thin. The 2024 test escalated the situation dramatically, with nearside and offside front brake pads dropping below 1.5 mm and classified as dangerous, alongside major defects on both front anti-roll bar ball joints for excessive wear, and a continued advisory on the nearside front brake disc. The most recent test in January 2026 passed, but only after a failure recorded the day before for a nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint, indicating that the suspension link wear recurred after the 2024 repair. This is a vehicle with a chronic and repeating pattern of wear in its braking and front suspension components, not an isolated incident. Annual mileage sits at approximately 12,026 miles per year over the vehicle's eight-year life, which is on the higher side for this age group and consistent with regular daily use rather than occasional or leisure driving. The testing pattern is tightly clustered, with annual tests from 2022 through 2026 and no multi-year gaps that might suggest the vehicle was off the road, stored, or used only intermittently. The relatively continuous testing, combined with the higher-than-average annual accumulation, means the consumable wear patterns seen in the record are entirely consistent with a car that has been in regular service. This usage profile makes the recurring brake and anti-roll bar findings particularly relevant, as these are components that suffer accelerated wear under frequent stop-start driving and higher mileages, and any prospective buyer should expect further intervention on these systems. For a buyer considering this vehicle, the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints are the single most important area to evaluate, as they have been flagged for wear in three consecutive test cycles, 2022 with slight play, 2024 with both sides excessively worn, and 2026 with the nearside joint failing again after the 2024 repair. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, and pay particular attention to any vagueness or rattle through the steering when cornering or changing direction quickly. With the engine stationary, grasp each front wheel at the top and bottom and attempt to rock it in and out; any perceptible movement or clunking indicates worn drop links or ball joints that may need imminent replacement. The nearside and offside front brake discs and pads should also be physically inspected through the wheel, measuring remaining pad friction material against the backing plate and checking the disc friction surface for lipping, scoring, or visible grooving. Given that the 2024 test recorded dangerous brake pad wear and the 2023 test recorded dangerous rear disc and pad condition, a thorough brake inspection including caliper binding, slider pin operation, and rear disc condition is essential rather than optional. The rear braking system warrants equal scrutiny despite no recent defects, as it was in a dangerous state as recently as 2023, with both rear discs seriously weakened and both rear pad sets below 1.5 mm. Any evidence of recent rear disc and pad replacement should be verified, and the handbrake operation should be tested on an incline to confirm it holds without excessive travel. The 2024 advisory for a worn nearside front brake disc, combined with the 2023 advisories for front disc and pad wear on both sides, suggests that discs and pads were replaced in that period, and buyers should ask for documentation of what was actually fitted. The 2024 minor advisory for a defective central rear wiper blade is a trivial item and not a concern. The tyre pressure monitoring system light noted as an advisory in 2022 should be checked for current operation, as a persistent warning can indicate a faulty sensor or chronically under-inflated tyres, both relevant to safety. Overall, the mechanical picture is one of a higher-mileage vehicle that has demonstrably struggled with its braking and front suspension consumables, and a pre-purchase inspection by a competent technician with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be strongly advisable to verify the current state of the anti-roll bar components, brake discs, pads, and calipers before committing to purchase.