2012 Peugeot 3008 1.6L Diesel · KM57 ACE

A recurring CV joint boot integrity issue defines the mechanical profile of this 2012 Peugeot 3008, with the constant velocity gaiters on both front drive shafts having been flagged as split or insecure across the recorded test history. Most recently, on 25 September 2025, the vehicle failed its MOT with Major defects recorded against both the nearside and offside front drive shaft joint boots under section 6.1.7 (g) (ii), alongside an advisory noting the offside rear tyre as worn close to the legal limit and on edge. Earlier in May 2024, the offside front outer CV boot was similarly recorded as split, resulting in a failure on the same date before the vehicle subsequently passed a retest. The duplication of this defect across multiple years suggests either persistent exposure to underbonnet contamination, ageing rubber that has perished, or that replacement boots fitted previously were not fully durable. With the offside rear tyre also flagged as edge-worn, the alignment geometry or rear suspension geometry should be considered as a contributing factor to uneven tyre wear. Against an age of roughly 14 years, the recorded mileage of 35,516 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 2,537 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage. The MOT history itself shows testing activity concentrated in 2024 and 2025, with two tests recorded in 2024 and another pair in September 2025, indicating the car has been presented for annual assessment in recent years. Low annual mileage of this nature typically results in reduced wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox internals, but it can also allow corrosion to develop on unprotected brake discs, calliper slide pins can seize from infrequent use, suspension bushes can dry out and harden, and tyres can develop flat spots or sidewall degradation from extended standing periods. The fact that the rear tyre was noted as edge-worn rather than age-cracked is consistent with some active driving having occurred, but the very low overall mileage still warrants close attention to components that suffer more from disuse than from use. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough physical inspection of both front drive shafts, checking for any fresh grease deposits around the inner and outer CV boots, clicks or clonks transmitted through the steering when turning at full lock, and any vibration felt through the cabin under acceleration, as these are the classic symptoms of a boot that has been compromised long enough to allow contamination past the joint. It is essential to confirm whether both boots have been replaced with proper clip-secured or banded units rather than temporary cable-tied repairs, and whether the joints themselves have been inspected for play, since a split boot left unattended can rapidly destroy the CV internals. The edge-worn offside rear tyre should prompt a four-wheel alignment check and a visual assessment of the rear suspension arms, trailing arms and anti-roll bar linkages for corrosion or perished bushes, as these are common failure points on the Peugeot 3008 platform of this era. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to any knocking or thumping from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, which would indicate worn suspension bushes, drop links or top mounts that may not yet have triggered an advisory but are likely candidates given the vehicle's age. Steering response should be assessed for any vagueness, pulling to one side under braking, or looseness through the wheel, as worn front suspension components on the 3008 frequently present in this manner. The brakes should be tested for a firm pedal with no judder or grinding, and the car should be held on a slight incline to confirm that the handbrake mechanism, often prone to cable corrosion and rear caliper seizure on low-mileage vehicles, still holds effectively. Given the dual nature of the latest MOT result on the same date, with both a pass and a failure recorded, clarification should be sought as to which specific items were rectified to achieve the subsequent pass, and documentary evidence of the CV boot replacement should be requested before committing to purchase.