2016 Peugeot Independence 2.0L Diesel · SF16 FDP

This 2016 Peugeot Independence presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by an unusual MOT failure pattern rather than any documented mechanical defects. Across the recorded test history, the vehicle has alternated between single-day fail and pass results, with both 2025 and 2026 each showing a failed test immediately followed by a pass on the next working day. Despite this sequence of failures, every recorded test entry shows no advisories and no specific component defects logged against the vehicle. The most recent assessment on 5 February 2026 returned a pass with no recorded defects, and the broader trend across 2024 and 2025 similarly shows clean roadworthiness outcomes with no advisories. While the exact reasons for each prior failure are not captured in this abbreviated record, the immediate follow-up pass suggests that any issues were addressed promptly between tests and did not represent persistent structural or systemic faults at the time of testing. The recorded odometer reading of 121,224 miles against a vehicle approximately ten years old equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 12,122 miles, which is notably high for the age and segment. There are no significant gaps in the annual MOT testing cadence, with continuous coverage from 2024 through 2026, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being placed off the road for extended periods. Sustained mileage at this rate places considerable cumulative demand on the drivetrain, clutch assembly, turbocharging system where applicable, suspension components, brake friction materials, and drivetrain mounts, even though none of these items have yet surfaced as advisories or failures in the official record. It is also worth observing that the identical high-mileage readings across consecutive annual tests indicate consistent year-on-year usage without any unusual spikes or sudden accumulation. For a prospective buyer evaluating this vehicle, the absence of any component-specific advisories is a positive indicator, but the repeated same-day or next-day MOT retest pattern warrants direct enquiry. Request documentation from the seller explaining the precise reasons for the 2025 and 2026 failure entries, as these could range from trivial items such as bulb failures or screenwash to more substantial rectification work that has since been completed. With high accumulated mileage, particular attention should be paid during a test drive to symptoms of wear that may not yet have reached advisory threshold. Listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which could indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or lower wishbone bushes, and feel for any vagueness or judder through the steering wheel that might point to worn track rod ends or top mounts. Under braking, monitor for any pulling to one side, vibration through the pedal, or grinding noises that would suggest worn brake discs or binding calipers, both of which are common on high-mileage Peugeot platforms. Additionally, the buyer should carry out a thorough cold-start inspection, listening for any excessive diesel knock if applicable, irregular idling, or blue smoke from the exhaust that could indicate oil consumption issues or turbo wear consistent with the mileage. Check the underside of the vehicle for any signs of fluid weeping from the engine, gearbox, or differential, and inspect the condition of the brake pipes, fuel lines, and subframe mounting points for any surface corrosion that may not yet have been significant enough to be flagged at MOT. Verify that all warning lights extinguish promptly after ignition and that the clutch action remains firm with no slipping under high load. Given the clean advisory record and the immediate retest passes, the underlying mechanical condition appears sound at the time of the last test, but the mileage profile and the failure history mean a careful physical inspection and a pre-purchase mechanical inspection by an independent garage remain strongly advisable.