2016 Peugeot 208 1.6L Diesel · LL16 AOS

A pattern of recurring component wear emerges across four years of MOT testing on this 2016 Peugeot 208, with the same exhaust mounting defect flagged at every annual test from 2022 through 2025 and the offside rear tyre showing damage repeatedly since 2022. The most recent test on 1 December 2025 returned a pass, but it also introduced two new advisories not seen in prior years: a low coolant level and worn front suspension arm pins or bushes with cracking and debonding on both sides, the latter being a notable concern given its presence on both sides simultaneously. The single recorded failure in November 2023 was a trivial washers not providing sufficient fluid, easily remedied and unconnected to any underlying mechanical deterioration. Overall the trend suggests a vehicle holding roadworthiness on test but with a gradually expanding list of wear items now including cooling system integrity and front suspension linkage condition that warrant close physical inspection. At 49,189 recorded miles over ten years, this 208 has accumulated roughly 4,919 miles annually, which sits well below the typical UK average of around 7,500 to 10,000 miles per year for a car of this age. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record and mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than erratic, indicating the vehicle has been in regular use rather than laid up for prolonged periods. Lower annual mileage of this nature generally reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch, gearbox and engine internals, but it does not eliminate deterioration of rubber and polymer items, bushes, tyres, coolant hoses and exhaust mountings, all of which degrade with age regardless of mileage. The repeated offside rear tyre damage and persistent exhaust mounting defect over four consecutive tests illustrate this age-related rather than mileage-related wear pattern clearly. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing item to scrutinise is the front suspension, given the advisory recorded in December 2025 of worn arm pins or bushes with cracking and slight debonding on both sides. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, feel for vagueness or imprecise turn-in through the steering, and check for uneven front tyre wear which often accompanies perished or slack bushes. The vehicle should be placed on a ramp or examined with the wheels lifted so the arms can be physically checked for play, as debonding rubber can sometimes pass an MOT visual check while still allowing measurable movement under load. Inspect the rear exhaust mounting visually for broken or missing rubber hangers and support the tailpipe to confirm it is not hanging by the pipe joints alone, as a failed mounting will eventually cause exhaust leaks at the flange joints. Tyre condition deserves specific attention because the record shows recurring edge wear and sidewall damage across multiple corners of the car. The nearside front tyre was flagged for edge wear in both 2022 and 2025, suggesting a possible tracking or camber issue that has persisted, so check the current front tyres for feathering or one-sided scrub and have the wheel alignment professionally assessed. Examine the offside rear sidewall closely for cuts, bulges or perished cracking, and confirm all tyres have at least the legal 1.6mm tread across the central three-quarters of the tread width with no cords visible. The low coolant advisory from the latest test should not be ignored; check the expansion bottle level cold, inspect all visible coolant hoses and the radiator for signs of leakage or staining, and ask whether the system has been pressure tested, as a recurring low level typically points to a slow leak somewhere in the cooling circuit rather than simple evaporation. Finally, verify the operation of the headlight washers and main washers system that contributed to the 2023 failure, and confirm there are no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard before committing to purchase.