2011 Peugeot 308 1.6L Diesel · SC11 LCL

The most recent MOT, carried out on 10 October 2022, resulted in a pass, the only recorded items being advisories concerning the near‑side and off‑side front inner tyres being close to the legal tread limit. Over the preceding seven years the vehicle has moved from a series of serious failures in 2017 (both front brake discs severely weakened, a leaking rear shock absorber and a non‑functioning front position lamp) and a headlamp aim failure in 2019, to a pattern of mainly advisory items and clean passes since 2018. This indicates that the major structural and braking issues identified earlier have been remedied and the maintenance trend is now stabilising, although the recurring wear‑related advisories suggest that consumables are approaching the end of their service life. At 191 631 miles for a 2011 model the average annual mileage works out at roughly 12 800 miles, well above the typical UK average of about 8‑10 000 miles per year. Such a high utilisation rate accelerates wear on tyres, suspension bushings, shock absorbers and braking components, and it also increases the likelihood of internal engine and transmission fatigue. There are no obvious large mileage gaps in the recorded history, implying the car has been driven consistently rather than sitting idle for extended periods, which can exacerbate corrosion of brake discs and calipers when the vehicle is not regularly warmed up. When inspecting the car, give particular attention to the condition of all four tyres – look for edge‑wear, sidewall cracking and uneven tread depth that may indicate mis‑alignment or worn suspension bushes. Examine the front anti‑roll bar linkage for any play, and feel the front strut mounts for looseness or abnormal movement, especially the near‑side upper MacPherson strut which has been flagged previously. During a test drive listen for clunking or knocking over bumps, a sign of deteriorating shock absorbers or worn bushings, and monitor the brakes for any pulsation, shudder or increased pedal travel that could point to thinning pads, disc thinning or binding calipers. A visual check of the rear brake hose ferrule for corrosion and a brief inspection of the brake fluid level and colour will help confirm whether the hydraulic system remains sound. Given the vehicle’s age, also verify the health of the 12 V battery – a load test or a check of the cranking voltage will reveal any loss of capacity that often accompanies long service life. Inspect all fluid reservoirs (engine oil, coolant, power‑steering and gearbox) for signs of contamination or water ingress, as calendar‑based degradation can occur even on a well‑used car. Look for any rust on the chassis, wheel arches and under‑carriage, particularly around the rear shock absorber mounting points, and ensure that the service book shows regular oil changes and any required timing‑belt or chain replacements that would be due around the 150‑200 000 mile mark. A thorough visual and road‑test appraisal of these items will give a prospective buyer a realistic picture of the remaining life and any imminent maintenance that may be required.