2011 Peugeot 308 1.6L Petrol · FH11 ATY

A pattern of recurring advisories surrounding the braking system, exhaust mounting hardware, and rear suspension components defines the MOT history of this 2011 Peugeot 308, with two failures recorded in the most recent three test cycles adding further weight to the mechanical picture. The latest test on 24 November 2025 was passed, but it carries advisories for oil leakage, an offside rear coil spring showing corrosion, front brake discs worn, and rear brake discs pitted and scored on both sides, alongside a minor defect for both headlamp lenses. Looking back through the record, several of these items are not isolated: the oil leak advisory has appeared at three consecutive tests, the offside rear coil spring corrosion was first flagged in 2024, the rear brake disc pitting has been an advisory at every test since at least 2021, and the exhaust mounting issues were identified as early as back in 2021. The 2023 test recorded a major failure for rear brake imbalance across axle two and a service brake efficiency below requirements, while the 2024 test resulted in a major failure for an exhaust Lambda reading outside specified limits. Although both were subsequently rectified to allow a pass, these failures indicate that the vehicle has experienced genuine mechanical degradation rather than purely cosmetic wear. With seven MOT tests recorded across a 15-year vehicle age and 110,189 miles on the odometer, the average annual mileage of approximately 7,346 miles is broadly consistent with typical use for a car of this era. The testing frequency is reasonably consistent at roughly annual intervals from 2020 onwards, with no extended gaps that would suggest long periods off the road. This steady annual accumulation pattern means the wear observed in the MOT record is the natural outcome of sustained, regular use rather than the abrupt consequences of high-mileage motoring or the stagnation issues associated with prolonged standing. However, with the vehicle now in its sixteenth year and approaching the mileage threshold where major drivetrain and suspension refurbishments become routine, the cumulative effect of moderate annual use on consumable components is clearly beginning to show, as evidenced by the brake, exhaust, and suspension advisories accumulating over successive tests. For a prospective buyer, the brake-related advisories warrant particular attention on a test drive. The recurring rear brake disc pitting and scoring on both sides, combined with the earlier imbalance and efficiency failure, means the rear braking should be evaluated carefully. Listen for any grinding or pulsation through the pedal under firm application, and check that the car pulls up straight without pulling to either side. The front discs were flagged as worn at the most recent test, so a rough or vibrating steering wheel during braking would indicate they have reached a serviceable limit. The rear brake pads were noted as wearing thin in 2020, and although they have not been re-flagged since, an inspection of pad material thickness via the wheel would be prudent. The offside rear brake binding advisory from 2020 should also be borne in mind; a sticking caliper may manifest as the rear running warmer than the front after a drive or as uneven pad wear on that side. The suspension and underbody items flagged across multiple tests require a physical inspection as well as a road assessment. The offside rear coil spring corrosion, noted at both 2024 and 2025 tests, should prompt a check for any visible cracking or flaking on the spring coils themselves, as corroded springs on this model can eventually fracture. The rear axle swivel pins and bushes showing slight wear in 2024, along with the rear axle bushes flagged in 2021, mean the rear should be listened for any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps or potholes. The persistent oil leak, although classed as not excessive, should be monitored by checking for fresh oil on the underside after a drive and watching the level between services. The exhaust system has been a recurring source of advisories, with a flexi joint in poor condition flagged in 2021 and 2022, a minor gas leak from the front flex and centre silencer in 2024, and the Lambda sensor failure suggesting catalyst or oxygen sensor wear. Listen for any exhaust drone, ticking on overrun, or rattling from underneath, particularly from the front flexi area, as this will indicate whether the recurring mounting and flexi issues have progressed since the last test.