2018 Peugeot 3008 1.6L Diesel · FN18 BPF

The most recent DVSA examination on 25 February 2026 returned a PASS, albeit with two advisories that warrant careful consideration by any prospective purchaser. The first, an offside front child seat obstructing full inspection of the adult belt, is a tester observation and does not reflect any inherent mechanical defect; however, it is a reminder to verify that the adult belt retracts and latches correctly once the child seat is removed. The second, play in the offside front steering rack inner joint, is more material. Steering rack inner joint wear on a Peugeot 3008 of this age and mileage typically manifests as a vague or wandering feeling through the steering wheel, a slight knocking or clunk over uneven surfaces, and uneven feathered wear across the front tyres. While not an immediate failure point, it indicates that the rack or tie rod end is approaching the end of its service life and should be inspected physically for free movement before purchase. Reviewing the broader history, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable rather than worsening, with the only outright failures being minor and easily resolved items rather than structural or safety-critical component failures. The recorded mileage of 76,810 over eight years equates to an annual average of roughly 9,600 miles, which is broadly typical for a family-oriented Peugeot 3008 used for a mix of commuting and leisure. The mileage progression between tests is consistent and there are no anomalous gaps that would suggest prolonged standing, nor any signs of clocked mileage. For an eight-year-old turbocharged petrol or diesel SUV at this mileage, mechanical attention should reasonably focus on the clutch dual-mass flywheel assembly if manual, the timing belt or chain service interval depending on powertrain, the turbocharger and associated intercooler hoses for oil leaks or boost loss, and the dual-clutch automatic or conventional automatic transmission fluid if applicable. A recurring theme in the MOT history is brake and tyre wear, which is consistent with the mileage covered. In 2021 the front brake pads and offside rear brake disc were noted as wearing thin and pitted respectively, and by 2022 both front tyres were at the legal limit with nearside front pads and the offside front disc also flagged. This indicates a vehicle that has been worked in typical fashion, and any prospective buyer should physically inspect the current pad and disc thickness through the wheels, looking for scored or lipped discs and pads below three to four millimetres of friction material. Test drive symptoms to listen for include brake shudder under heavy deceleration, suggesting disc run-out, and any squeal or grinding indicating pad backing plate contact. Tyres should be checked for uneven shoulder wear which would point toward suspension geometry misalignment, camber or tracking issues, particularly given the recent advisory regarding steering rack play. Given that this is now a mid-life vehicle, the age-related inspection points become equally important alongside the mileage-based wear items. Tyres fitted to an ageing vehicle may suffer from sidewall perishing and cracking even if the tread depth remains legal, so close visual examination of the sidewalls for hairline cracks is worthwhile. Brake discs not in regular use are prone to corrosion and binding calipers, particularly after wet standing periods, so feel for any residual drag when first releasing the brake pedal and listen for intermittent scraping from seized caliper sliders. The 12V battery on a 2018 vehicle is likely approaching the end of its service life, and a drop test or voltage check under load is prudent, particularly given the prevalence of stop-start systems and electronic control units on the 3008 that are sensitive to low voltage. Finally, calendar-based servicing should be verified regardless of recorded mileage, including confirmation of brake fluid replacement every two years, coolant renewal, and any automatic transmission or dual-clutch fluid change, as these degrade with time rather than use alone.