2015 Peugeot 208 1.0L Petrol · FE65 ANP

A recurring exhaust mounting weakness has been the only mechanical note across eight consecutive annual MOT tests on this 2015 Peugeot 208, with both the 2022 and 2023 examinations flagging a weak central exhaust mount before the car returned two clean passes in 2024 and 2025. The latest test on 3 September 2025 was a pass with no defects recorded, continuing a pattern of roadworthiness that has not produced any advisories since the exhaust note was last logged two years ago. With eight passes and zero failures since first MOT registration, the structural and safety-related items typically scrutinised under the MOT scheme have not raised concerns. The single component theme across the entire record is the exhaust mount, suggesting that while the car has remained compliant at each test, the mounting assembly has been a slowly developing wear item rather than an isolated one-off. The recorded mileage of 21,105 miles over an eleven-year period equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 1,919 miles, which is well below typical figures for a city-sized supermini of this age. Testing intervals have been consistent, with annual examinations recorded every year from 2018 through 2025, and there are no multi-year gaps in the record that would suggest prolonged lay-up or off-road status. Such low usage has direct mechanical implications: brake discs and pads may have suffered surface corrosion from infrequent use, the 12V battery and associated drive belts may have aged faster in calendar terms than in operating hours, and oil seals, gaskets, and rubber components such as suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, and CV gaiters can deteriorate through lack of regular load cycling rather than through wear. On the other hand, the engine, clutch, gearbox, and major internal drivetrain components will have experienced minimal mechanical fatigue, and tyre wear is likely to be uneven if the car has been left standing on the same footprint for extended periods. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to inspect should reflect both the recorded advisory history and the consequences of low annual mileage. The exhaust system should be physically checked from underneath, with particular attention to the central rubber mounting for cracking, perishing, or separation, and the system should be rocked by hand to confirm it does not sag or contact the underbody. On a test drive, listen for any buzzing, metallic rattle, or exhaust drone that intensifies over bumps, as a weakened mount often allows the system to shift under load before a visible defect is obvious. Given the low mileage, the brake pedal should be felt for firmness on the first application after the car has been parked, as a soft or low pedal can indicate sticking calipers or corroded discs, and the handbrake should hold firmly on a moderate incline to confirm rear brake mechanism function. A thorough road test should also include firm braking from around 40 mph to expose any pedal pulsation, pulling, or ABS warning, plus slow-speed cornering over uneven surfaces to detect knocking or clonking from worn suspension bushes that may have hardened with age despite limited mileage. Finally, the underbody and structural areas should be inspected on a ramp or over a pit, paying close attention to corrosion on the rear axle, subframe mounting points, and brake pipe runs along the chassis, as the MOT record does not record these areas in detail between tests. Tyres should be examined for age-related sidewall cracking rather than just tread depth, because perished rubber can compromise grip even on lightly used cars. The engine bay should be checked for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover gasket, coolant hoses for brittleness at the hose clips, and the condition of the drive belt for glazing. If these specific items are addressed in person and found acceptable, the documented MOT history indicates a vehicle that has remained compliant at every annual test, with the only outstanding mechanical observation being the slow degradation of the central exhaust mount previously noted in 2022 and 2023.