2015 Peugeot 308 1.6L Diesel · SH15 YVE

The 2015 Peugeot 308 passed its most recent MOT on 22 July 2025 at 174,488 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance pattern that is inconsistent at best. The vehicle failed the preceding test just six days earlier on 16 July 2025 at the same recorded mileage, with the tester flagging a major exhaust leak at the front flange, a nail embedded in the nearside front inner tyre, rear brake pads below 1.5 mm, an inoperative engine MIL, and a rear registration plate lamp fault. That the mileage did not advance between the fail and pass entries strongly suggests the car was repaired and retested without meaningful road use between the two dates. Several advisories carried over from prior years, including inner tyre wear on both front wheels and a deteriorating front registration plate, point to cosmetic and consumable neglect rather than catastrophic mechanical failure. The overall trend is one of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The mileage accumulation tells a clear story. Between the July 2023 test at 150,995 miles and the July 2024 test at 164,138 miles, the car covered roughly 13,143 miles in twelve months. The subsequent jump to 174,488 miles by July 2025 represents approximately 10,350 miles in one year, a slightly lower but still substantial annual rate. At nearly 15,900 miles per year across its life, this 308 has been driven hard. High-mileage use of this nature accelerates wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs, and drivetrain components. No significant gaps appear in the MOT record itself, but the absence of meaningful mileage progression between the 2025 fail and pass tests is unusual and warrants scrutiny. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus on the recurring fault areas. The nearside rear brake has a documented binding history, appearing in both the 2024 fail and pass entries, which suggests a sticking caliper or collapsed flexible hose that may have been masked rather than properly resolved. The exhaust system has also drawn repeated attention, with a major front flange leak and an insecure rear section flagged in 2024. Exhaust gas leaks at the front flexi joint can worsen rapidly and may indicate underlying corrosion in the system. Front tyre inner edge wear has appeared in multiple tests, hinting at worn suspension bushes, a misaligned tracking setup, or damaged lower ball joints. The nail in the nearside front tyre in 2025 raises questions about puncture repair integrity. Beyond the flagged items, the high mileage demands a thorough underbody inspection. Check for corrosion on subframes, suspension mounting points, and inner wing arches, as structural integrity compromises are common on heavily used vehicles of this age. Examine the condition of all brake discs and pads, paying particular attention to uneven wear patterns that could confirm the binding issue. The engine MIL being inoperative in 2025 is a concern, as it may have been deliberately disabled to mask an emissions-related fault. A full diagnostic scan is essential before purchase.