2012 Peugeot 308 Active HDI 1.6L Diesel · SL12 PYP

The most recent DVSA examination on 1 March 2023 resulted in a Pass with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that at the time of test the vehicle satisfied all statutory roadworthiness requirements. Looking across the seven-year MOT history available, the test outcome trend is broadly stable rather than deteriorating, with consecutive passes at each annual assessment and no recorded refusals or failure items. The earlier advisories relating to steering and suspension components in 2020 and 2021 did not reappear in subsequent tests, which suggests remedial work may have been carried out, although the absence of further advisories does not conclusively prove a permanent repair since wear items can deteriorate progressively between MOTs. Overall, the maintenance signature is consistent with a vehicle that has been kept in reasonable mechanical order, though a prospective buyer should not infer perfection from clean test entries alone, particularly given the vehicle's age and mileage. With 107,247 miles recorded over approximately fourteen years, this Peugeot 308 has covered around 7,660 miles per year on average, which is broadly typical for a car of its age and suggests regular rather than occasional use. There are no extended gaps between MOT entries that would imply long periods of standing, which is generally favourable as it reduces the likelihood of severe brake disc corrosion, seized calipers, dry rot in flexible hoses, and oxidation of the exhaust system. However, the mileage is now well into the upper half of what is commonly seen for a 2012 diesel or petrol hatchback in this class, meaning that higher-wear items such as clutch operation, dual-mass flywheel integrity, turbocharger function, timing belt service intervals, and suspension bushes will have been subjected to significant cumulative wear. The relatively even annual accumulation also suggests that servicing intervals have likely been observed in line with mileage rather than calendar time, which is the correct approach for a working vehicle. The 2020 advisories are worth particular attention from a buyer perspective, as they collectively indicate a pattern of wear developing in the front suspension geometry and geometry-sensitive components. The advisories on both front tyres and both rear tyres being worn on the inside edge suggest a tracking or camber issue at that time, and uneven inner-edge wear is classically symptomatic of worn front suspension bushes or sagging coil springs, both of which were indeed flagged in the same test. A test drive should focus on listening for clonking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and any vague or wandering steering feel should be taken seriously, especially as a steering rack inner joint play advisory was issued in 2021. On inspection, the buyer should examine the inner tread shoulders of all four tyres for feathering, check for any fluid seepage around the rack gaiters, and visually inspect the front lower control arm bushes for cracking, deformation, or separation. Uneven tyre wear across an axle is a strong indicator that suspension components require replacement even if the vehicle is currently passing its MOT. Beyond the recorded advisories, several age-related inspection points should be prioritised given this is now a 2012 vehicle regardless of its MOT pass status. Tyre sidewalls should be examined for perishing or cracking from age, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar time even on lightly worn treads. Brake discs should be inspected for corrosion lips at the periphery and for any juddering or pulsing under braking on the test drive, while caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanisms are prone to seizing on vehicles of this age, particularly if used predominantly for short journeys. The 12V battery health should be checked by measuring resting voltage, as batteries typically fail between five and seven years of age. Coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid should be regarded as time-served rather than purely mileage-served, and verifying that these have been changed in line with manufacturer intervals, along with confirmation of timing belt or chain replacement history depending on engine variant, will provide important reassurance on the vehicle's longer-term mechanical integrity.