2015 Peugeot 308 1.2L Petrol · LR15 FPZ

Tyre condition sits at the centre of this vehicle's roadworthiness profile and warrants serious attention from any prospective buyer. The 2026 test sequence illustrates the point clearly: a Dangerous failure was recorded on the nearside front tyre for tread depth below the 1.6mm legal minimum, alongside advisories for an offside front tyre worn close to the limit and on its edge, a nearside rear nail in the tread, and an offside rear tyre with perishing. Within hours, the same vehicle passed with no defects recorded, meaning the tyres were replaced before re-test. This pattern indicates the car was running on the absolute margins of legality at inspection and that immediate replacement was required simply to put it back on the road. The electronic stability control warning lamp fault recorded as a Major in January 2024 is the other headline concern: although the subsequent re-test passed, ESC warning lamps typically illuminate only when the control unit detects a sensor, wiring, or hydraulic fault, and intermittent issues of this nature can return without warning. The 2021 advisory for a worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush also merits follow-up, as such components rarely improve with age and mileage and can develop into Major defects within a few thousand miles. The mileage profile is notably high for the vehicle's age. At 161,583 recorded miles across approximately eleven years, this 308 has averaged close to 14,700 miles per year, which sits well above the typical private-car accumulation rate of 6,000 to 10,000 miles annually. There are no significant gaps in the MOT testing record, which suggests continuous use rather than extended standing periods, but the consistent annual accumulation means that wear-sensitive items such as clutch assemblies, dual-mass flywheels, turbochargers (on diesel variants), suspension springs, and engine mountings are likely to be approaching or past their normal service life expectancy. Higher-mileage examples of this platform are also more prone to timing belt stretching, oil consumption increases, and EGR valve carbon build-up, all of which would not necessarily be recorded as MOT defects but can prove costly if neglected. When inspecting this Peugeot, pay particular attention to the front suspension geometry and bush condition. Listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, especially on full lock, which would indicate the previously flagged nearside front arm bush has deteriorated further. Check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle, as a worn bush or failing anti-roll bar link will quickly chew through inner or outer shoulder rubber regardless of how new the tyres are. Inspect all four tyres for age-related cracking in the sidewalls, as the 2026 advisory for perishing on the offside rear suggests the rubber compounds on this vehicle may be ageing prematurely. On the test drive, note any pulling to one side under braking or any vibration through the steering wheel, as the front discs and pads on a high-mileage 308 are commonly worn and may require replacement alongside fresh tyres. The ESC system fault from January 2024 also warrants practical verification. When starting the vehicle from cold, confirm that the stability control warning lamp extinguishes fully and remains off throughout driving; an intermittent warning lamp that returns during a test drive could indicate an ongoing fault with a yaw sensor, ABS ring, or steering angle sensor, any of which could become an MOT failure. Scan for any stored fault codes via diagnostic equipment if possible, particularly for ABS and stability control modules. Finally, with this level of annual mileage, listen carefully for any diesel knock or rattle on startup that does not clear within a few seconds, and monitor for excessive smoke from the exhaust during the test drive, as high-mileage 308 diesels are known to develop injector and turbo issues that would not appear in MOT records but are highly relevant to the long-term cost of ownership.