2008 Peugeot 308 1.6L Petrol · KT08 RFN

A pattern of repeated tyre wear, brake irregularities and front suspension distress defines the mechanical history of this 2008 Peugeot 308, with the most recent test on 27 March 2023 returning a clean pass with no advisories recorded. Across seven recorded tests there are two failures: a fractured nearside front coil spring in July 2019 and an insecure offside front CV joint gaiter in July 2017 that was allowing ingress of dirt. Both were rectified at the time of test, and the intervening and subsequent passes have generally been clean, though the recurrence of edge tyre wear across multiple years and brake-related advisories on both axles suggests ongoing chassis, geometry or component wear that has not yet crossed failure thresholds. The clean 2023 outcome is encouraging, but it represents a single data point at over three and a half years prior to the present date, and a vehicle of this age will have covered further mileage and weathered further corrosion since then. With 89,666 miles recorded over approximately 18 years, the annual accumulation works out at roughly 4,981 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age and points towards either extended periods of limited use or long stretches off the road between tests. There are visible gaps in the MOT history, including a near four-year interval between the January 2021 and March 2023 tests, and the 2019 test was repeated on the same day after the coil spring failure was repaired. Low annual mileage reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as the clutch, drivetrain and exhaust internals, but it does not eliminate rubber component degradation. The 2017 advisory noting a binding rear brake and the 2022 advisories on a scored rear brake disc suggest that standing time has already taken some toll on the braking hardware, and suspension bushes, dampers, gaiters and the condition of brake pipes and flexible hoses should be treated as suspect until proven otherwise. Corrosion on underbody components is also a heightened concern for a car of this vintage, particularly around jacking points, subframe mounting areas and brake line junctions. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension, given the historical fractured nearside coil spring. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking over uneven road surfaces, particularly from the front corners, and feel for any change in ride height from side to side that could indicate a weakened or settled spring. Inspect the tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear across all four wheels, as edge wear has been flagged on multiple occasions across both axles, which may indicate tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes or top mounts rather than simple tyre ageing. Check the condition of all visible CV gaiters, especially the offside front outer joint that previously failed, looking for splits, perished rubber or fresh grease around the rim, and rotate the steering lock to lock while stationary to listen for any clicks or popping. The braking system warrants careful physical inspection rather than relying solely on pedal feel. Examine the rear brake disc surface through the wheel for the rust pitting and scoring referenced in the 2022 advisory, and check that the rear calipers are releasing cleanly, as a binding condition was noted in 2017 and is a known issue on ageing Peugeot rear calipers where the handbrake mechanism seizes. Lift a carpet or inspect the underside for damp patches around the heater matrix, a known weak point on 308s of this generation, and examine the underbody carefully for surface corrosion, particularly around the front subframe, suspension arms and brake pipe unions, given the vehicle's age and intermittent usage pattern. Finally, check that all tyres are of matching specification and have adequate tread across the full width rather than just the centre, and verify the age of the battery, as prolonged low-mileage use is commonly associated with premature 12V battery failure.