2020 Peugeot 508 1.5L Diesel · LS20 WWT

A consistent pattern of premature front and rear tyre wear, particularly on the inside edges, dominates the mechanical history of this 2020 Peugeot 508 and represents its most pressing roadworthiness concern. Across the 2025 and 2026 test cycles, every tyre on the vehicle has been flagged for excessive edge wear, culminating in a Dangerous failure on 2026-08-04 for nearside and offside front tread depths falling below the 1.6mm legal minimum. This recurring advisory across two axles over consecutive tests points strongly toward a steering geometry or suspension geometry issue rather than simple consumable depletion, as a correctly aligned chassis should not present inner-edge wear severe enough to fail on tread depth alone within such a short mileage window. The subsequent pass on 2026-08-04 confirms replacement tyres have brought the readings back within legal limits, but the underlying cause of the uneven wear remains unaddressed in the test record and must be investigated before purchase. Brake wear advisories also appeared in 2023 and 2024 for thinning friction material and pitted rear discs, indicating progressive but typical service wear that has not yet resulted in component failure. With 82,438 miles recorded on a six-year-old vehicle, this 508 has covered approximately 13,740 miles per year, a notably high annual accumulation that exceeds the average for its age bracket and signals sustained, real-world use. There are no extended gaps in the MOT history that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the testing cycle has remained strictly annual since first registration. Mechanically, this high usage rate places greater demand on the braking system, suspension bushes, coil springs, anti-roll bar links, clutch and dual-mass flywheel (if manual), and the diesel or petrol engine's ancillary drive belt, water pump, and turbocharger oil and coolant lines. The absence of any mileage-related advisories on suspension components, oil leaks, or exhaust corrosion in the MOT record is a positive indicator that the chassis and drivetrain have so far withstood this workload without significant structural or mechanical failures, though components nearing their fatigue life should be inspected closely. A prospective buyer should treat the recurring edge-wear pattern as the primary mechanical risk and prioritise a four-wheel laser alignment check and a detailed suspension inspection before committing. Specifically, check the front lower control arm bushes, wishbone rear bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mount bearings for slop or cracking, as any of these worn components can introduce negative camber and cause exactly the type of inner-edge shoulder wear observed. Listen for clonking noises over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering through corners. On the rear axle, check the trailing arm bushes and the thrust arm bearings for tears, as these are known wear items on the Peugeot 508 platform. Verify that the geometry has been corrected since the 2026 test, and request documentary proof such as a recent alignment printout, because new tyres fitted to a misaligned chassis will repeat the same wear pattern within a few thousand miles. The brake system warrants an equally focused assessment given the 2023 front pad advisory and the 2024 rear pad and pitted disc flags. Although the most recent test passed cleanly, a high-mileage vehicle of this age should be inspected for binding calipers, uneven pad deposition, and rear disc runout through the steering wheel at higher speeds. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or squealing under light braking, feel for a soft or inconsistent pedal, and observe whether the vehicle pulls to one side under steady deceleration. Inspect the flexible brake hoses and rigid pipework for corrosion, particularly along the underbody and rear axle lines, as the 508 is known for surface rust in these areas. Finally, check the underside comprehensively for any fluid leaks from the engine oil seals, power steering rack, or gearbox, as a 82,000-mile example is approaching the service interval where these components commonly begin to seep, and none of these issues will appear on an MOT until they become externally visible or fail an emissions check.