2010 Peugeot 308 1.6L Petrol · ST10 EXC

A sixteen-year-old Peugeot 308 carrying just 24,283 recorded miles presents a roadworthiness profile shaped almost entirely by underuse rather than wear, and the DVSA history supports that conclusion. Across four consecutive annual tests from 2023 to 2026, the vehicle has passed without a single advisory, indicating no developing brake, corrosion, exhaust, suspension, or lighting concerns that a tester considered worth recording. The sole mechanical event in the recent file was a fail at the 2023-04-12 test, which was immediately rectified and re-presented on the same date, returning a clean pass. The two defects recorded at that visit were a nearside windscreen washer failing to provide sufficient liquid and an offside front outer constant velocity joint boot on the drive shaft that was split and no longer preventing the ingress of dirt. Since those items were addressed, the record has been unblemished, suggesting the remedial work on the gaiter and washer system has held effectively. With an annual accumulation of roughly 1,518 miles against a vehicle age of sixteen years, this 308 falls firmly into the low-mileage bracket. The annual MOT cadence has been maintained without interruption, so there is no evidence of a long statutory off-road period or a dormant storage phase that would raise concerns about seized callipers, perished fuel system components, or dried seals. That said, genuine low-mileage use still places stress on items that suffer from inactivity rather than distance covered, and the test file does not capture whether the car has been exercised regularly enough to keep the drivetrain, brakes, and tyres in healthy condition between tests. For a prospective buyer, the specific component warranting the most physical inspection is the offside front drive shaft, given that the CV boot was replaced on or around 12 April 2023. On a test drive, listen for any clicking or rhythmic knocking on full-lock slow-speed turns, which would suggest the replacement gaiter has been fitted incorrectly or has failed prematurely, allowing fresh contamination into the joint. Also feel for vibration through the drivetrain under acceleration, as a worn CV joint will typically telegraph itself as a shuddering sensation rising through the cabin floor. Inspect the inner and outer boots visually for any fresh splits, grease trails, or perished rubber edges, as a newly fitted gaiter should still appear supple and intact. Beyond the drive shaft, the rest of the assessment should focus on the typical consequences of low annual mileage on a sixteen-year-old French hatchback. Check for binding or seized front brake callipers by rolling forward slowly from a standstill with the handbrake released and confirming the car pulls away cleanly without dragging; seized sliders are common on cars that sit for extended periods and will manifest as a hot wheel or a pulling sensation under light braking. Examine the underside and suspension components, particularly the front control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and coil springs, for any surface cracking or corrosion given the age of the rubber and metal. Verify that the cooling system, battery, and tyres are all in current serviceable condition, as a car of this vintage with minimal use can still suffer from perished coolant hoses, a discharged 12V battery, and tyres that have aged out through standing rather than wear. Finally, confirm the washer system is functioning correctly on both front and rear, since the 2023 fail highlighted that specific item and it is a straightforward check to repeat before purchase.