2016 Peugeot 308 1.2L Petrol · GD16 LLP

The defining mechanical theme in this 308's MOT history is a developing front suspension concern, with a fractured coil spring and worn trailing arm bushes emerging within the same inspection cycle. The 2026 test on 22 January recorded an advisory for both front suspension arm pins or bushes showing wear without excessive movement, mirroring advisories issued at the previous attempt on 28 February 2025 after the vehicle had failed as Dangerous just one day earlier. That 2025 failure combined two serious items: a fractured offside front coil spring and a nearside rear tyre with exposed ply or cords from a sidewall cut. With the coil spring failure categorised as Major and the tyre defect classed Dangerous, the cluster demonstrates that the front suspension is the area to monitor most closely, alongside rear tyre integrity. Prior tests from 2021 and 2024 were entirely free of advisories, indicating that the current wear pattern is a recent development rather than a long-standing issue. Recorded mileage stands at 49,042 miles across approximately ten years, equating to an annual accumulation of around 4,900 miles, which is below the typical figure for a car of this age and likely reflects extended periods of low use. There is also a notable gap in the testing record between October 2022 and March 2024, during which the vehicle was either not presented for testing or fell outside the standard MOT cycle, before the current annual cadence resumed. Lower annual mileage generally reduces wear on high-cycle components such as the clutch, engine internals, and brake friction material, but it can accelerate deterioration of rubber and polymer items through ageing, and can promote corrosion in brake calipers, slider pins, and underbody components. The recorded 8,000 to 10,000 mile jumps between tests are consistent with a vehicle that is used intermittently rather than as a daily driver. Given the fractured front coil spring and persistent bush wear recorded in 2025 and 2026, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension on any physical inspection. With the vehicle raised, inspect both front coil springs closely for any signs of cracking, paint flaking, or corrosion pitting at the lower coils, and check the front suspension arm mounting bushes by attempting to rock the arms with a lever to detect movement beyond manufacturer tolerance. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over bumps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the front end under braking, which could indicate the coil spring has fully fractured and the affected corner has dropped. The brake pedal should be firm without excessive travel, and the vehicle should not pull markedly to one side under steady braking, as binding calipers can develop with low usage and would be evident through hot wheels after a drive. The Dangerous tyre failure from 2025 warrants a thorough external and inner-sidewall inspection of all four tyres on the test drive, as cuts or bulges on the rear tyres in particular can develop from kerbing or road debris and may not be visible from the outside. Check the nearside rear in particular for any recent replacements, uneven wear, or sidewall damage. The 2022 advisory for inner-edge tyre wear on the front pair suggests a possible tracking or camber issue, so confirm the steering wheel is centred when driving straight and that the vehicle does not pull consistently to one side. Finally, with the 2020 advisory for a nail in the nearside rear tyre, verify that the repair, if retained, has been carried out to current British Standard and that no secondary damage has occurred to the wheel. Undertrays were noted as obscuring underbody components in 2019, so where possible request their removal at inspection to confirm there is no surface corrosion developing on subframe and suspension pick-up points, particularly given the low usage pattern.