2012 Peugeot 208 1.6L Diesel · PJ12 TXC

The 2012 Peugeot 208 holds a current MOT certificate dated 29 May 2026, issued at 120,062 miles, meaning the most recent test is less than three weeks old. The maintenance trend is mixed. A failed test on 26 May 2026, just three days prior, flagged seven defects including a non-functioning dipped beam, headlamp aim issues, an inoperative engine MIL lamp, four tyre-related advisories, a worn front track rod end ball joint, and a defective rear exhaust mounting. The car passed on the re-test with only the rear exhaust mounting remaining as a minor advisory, suggesting the owner addressed the safety-critical items promptly. However, the recurrence of the rear exhaust mounting defect across multiple consecutive tests indicates a persistent, low-priority fault that has never been permanently resolved. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with the vehicle's age. Between the May 2025 test at 110,025 miles and the May 2026 test at 120,062 miles, the car covered approximately 10,037 miles in twelve months, slightly above the lifetime average of around 8,576 miles per year. This suggests recent use has been a touch heavier than the historical norm, which may accelerate wear on consumables and suspension components. The gap between the May 2024 pass at 98,435 miles and the May 2025 test at 110,025 miles shows a similar pattern of roughly 11,590 miles covered in that year, confirming the vehicle has been driven more frequently in the last two years than its earlier history would suggest. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and steering. The May 2026 failure identified excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, a component directly affecting steering precision and tyre wear. The fact that both front tyres were below the 1.6mm legal minimum on the same test date reinforces that the steering geometry has been compromised for some time. The front suspension lower arm rear bush was also flagged as worn in the May 2025 failure, and while it did not reappear on the 2026 re-test, a physical inspection of the front suspension bushes, ball joints, and tracking alignment is advisable. The rear exhaust mounting has appeared as an advisory in three of the last four tests, including the most recent pass. This is not a safety risk in isolation, but its persistence suggests the exhaust system may be hanging lower than intended, potentially stressing the exhaust manifold, downpipe, or catalytic converter mounting points. A thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around the exhaust mounting points and suspension attachment areas, is recommended before purchase.