2010 Peugeot 308 1.6L Diesel · LL60 OPP

A persistent pattern of tyre and suspension deterioration dominates the recorded roadworthiness history of this 2010 Peugeot 308, with three of the last four MOT tests resulting in failures and several dangerous defects categorised at the point of test. The most recent examination on 18 September 2025 produced a pass, but only after a dangerous failure on the same date for an offside front tyre with ply or cords exposed, alongside an advisory noting a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge. The 2024 test tells a similar story, with both rear tyres falling below the 1.6mm tread requirement on dangerous grounds, compounded by a fractured and distorted nearside front inner road wheel. Suspension wear has been flagged repeatedly, including slight play in the nearside front upper anti-roll bar ball joint in 2024 and a worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush in 2022, with front suspension noise noted again in 2025. Exhaust emissions have also exceeded the manufacturer's specified limit on two consecutive annual tests in 2022 and 2023, although no further emissions failures appear in the more recent record. Mileage accumulation over the sixteen-year life of the vehicle is low at 69,673 miles, equating to roughly 4,355 miles per year on average, and the recorded figures between tests are consistent with modest, steady usage rather than long stationary periods or sudden high-mileage jumps. There are no multi-year gaps in the MOT record that would suggest the vehicle was off the road, with annual tests consistently recorded from 2022 onwards. Mechanically, this lower annual mileage implies reduced wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals, and it correlates with the relatively modest brake disc wear observed on the front axle in 2023. However, the tyre and suspension failures indicate that even at restrained annual mileages, age-related deterioration of rubber components and elastomeric bushes has been the more pressing concern for this car, rather than outright mechanical exhaustion of high-mileage wear items. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing inspection priorities are the front suspension and under-bonnet emissions systems, given the recurring advisories and failures in these areas. The front end should be carefully assessed for any clonking or knocking noises over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, with particular attention to the upper anti-roll bar ball joints, lower suspension arm pins and bushes, and coil spring seats, as these are the components previously flagged. On a test drive, listen for any slackness or rattling through the steering when traversing rougher tarmac, and check for uneven tyre wear across both front tyres, which could point to geometry issues stemming from worn suspension linkages. The wheels themselves warrant close visual scrutiny for cracks, buckling, or distortion around the inner rim, given the previous failure for a fractured nearside front inner road wheel. The braking system, while not flagged as a failure point, has shown gradual progression of wear that warrants direct examination. The front brake discs and nearside rear inner brake pads were noted as thinning in 2023, so a thorough check of current pad material thickness and disc condition, particularly any lipping or scoring on the disc friction surfaces, is advisable. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for any excessive travel, sponginess, or judder under firm application, which could suggest corroded caliper sliders or warped discs. Finally, with exhaust emissions having breached the manufacturer's limit twice in consecutive years, the engine should be observed from cold start for any excessive smoke, misfire, or rough idle, and a pre-purchase diagnostic scan would help identify any stored fault codes relating to the lambda sensor, catalytic converter efficiency, or ignition components that could explain the historical emissions exceedances.