2009 Peugeot 308 1.6L Diesel · FN09 OEV

A seventeen-year-old Peugeot 308 carrying over 204,000 miles presents a mechanical story dominated by recurring brake and tyre wear, suspension component play, and persistent fluid leaks, culminating in the 2026-03-23 test where the vehicle was failed with a major defect for a contaminated offside front brake disc, alongside advisories for both front tyres worn down to the legal limit on their edges, an oil leak, and a coolant leak. The longer arc shows a vehicle that has passed three of its four most recent tests, but with advisories accumulating consistently rather than resolving. Brake disc pitting and scoring was flagged on both fronts as early as 2023, offside rear disc wear appeared the same year, and brake pad thinning was noted in 2022, indicating the braking system has been on a wear trajectory rather than being refreshed. A headlamp failure on dipped beam in 2023 was the only prior major defect, and a track rod end ball joint showing slight play was recorded at the 2025 test, adding steering component wear to the list of concerns alongside the rear coil spring corrosion advisory from 2019 which has not been re-examined in subsequent records. At 204,184 miles on a 2009 vehicle, the average annual accumulation is roughly 12,011 miles, which sits well above the typical usage profile for a car of this age and suggests the 308 has seen sustained high-mileage service rather than gentle or intermittent use. The MOT testing pattern shows gaps, with entries in 2019 and 2022 followed by annual tests from 2023 onwards, but the mileage accumulation between recorded tests implies the vehicle has been in regular road use. This kind of sustained mileage on a seventeen-year-old Peugeot places considerable cumulative stress on engine sealing, suspension joints, brake components, and drivetrain mountings, and the recorded advisories align with that expectation, particularly the repeated front tyre edge wear which often reflects suspension geometry degradation over high mileages rather than simple tyre ageing. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on the braking system first, given the contaminated offside front disc that caused the latest failure and the long-running advisories on pitted front discs and thinning rear pads. On a test drive, listen for any brake judder through the pedal or vibration through the steering wheel under firm stopping, and check that the vehicle pulls up squarely without steering pull, as binding calipers are common on high-mileage Peugeots and would explain uneven disc wear. Inspect all four brake discs visually for lipping, scoring, and heat marks, and confirm the offside front disc has been replaced or machined since the March 2026 failure. The oil and coolant leaks recorded at multiple tests warrant a thorough under-bonnet inspection for fresh residue around the engine sump, cam cover gasket, and coolant hoses, with particular attention to whether the coolant is weeping from a hose joint, the radiator, or a more serious head gasket source, and the engine should be observed from cold start for any excessive smoke or steam. Suspension and steering components deserve equal scrutiny, as the 2023 advisory noted play in the offside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, the 2025 test recorded play in the track rod end ball joint, and the 2019 entry flagged rear coil spring corrosion. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, particularly over the offside, and feel for any vagueness or looseness in the steering response, as worn anti-roll bar links typically produce a metallic rattle over rough tarmac. The rear coil spring corrosion advisory is a point of concern that should be examined visually for surface rust, cracks, or any signs of ride height unevenness at the rear. Given the consistent record of front tyres wearing on their edges across multiple tests, the wheel alignment and front suspension geometry should be checked professionally, as the same tyre wear pattern typically only resolves once worn components are replaced. Finally, the persistent oil leak advisories and the coolant leak noted at the failed test indicate that fluid system pressure testing and a comprehensive service history review would be prudent before purchase.