2014 Peugeot 208 1.4L Diesel · SY14 RKE

Based on the DVSA MOT records, this 2014 Peugeot 208 presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent test on 30 September 2025 at 46,357 miles resulted in a pass, but only after an initial failure on the same day for two inoperative rear registration plate lamps, which were evidently rectified for the retest. The maintenance trend is broadly stable rather than improving, with a recurring pattern of minor advisories persisting across multiple tests. The tester flagged worn front brake discs and a worn nearside front lower suspension arm bush in September 2025, both noted as not seriously weakened or resulting in excessive movement, yet these same items appeared in the advisory list during the failed test earlier that day. A nearside front driveshaft seal oil leak has also been present since at least the September 2025 inspection, described as not excessive but warranting monitoring. The mileage profile is notably low for a twelve-year-old vehicle. At 46,357 miles, the annual average sits at roughly 3,863 miles, well below the typical UK figure of around 8,000 to 10,000 miles per year. The record shows a gap of approximately 2,052 miles between the September 2023 test at 42,848 miles and the October 2024 test at 44,305 miles, suggesting modest annual use. The mileage then remained static at 46,357 miles between the September 2025 failure and pass tests, indicating the vehicle may have been stationary between those two appointments. Such low mileage can reduce wear on drivetrain and braking components, but prolonged periods of inactivity can accelerate rubber deterioration, which may explain the recurring tyre perishing advisories. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and braking components. The nearside front lower suspension arm bush has been flagged as worn in both the October 2024 and September 2025 tests, and the September 2023 failure identified excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, suggesting this area has received intermittent attention rather than a comprehensive repair. Both front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted, or scored in September 2025, and while the tester judged them not seriously weakened, their condition should be verified with a vernier caliper against Peugeot's minimum thickness specifications. The nearside front driveshaft seal oil leak, present at the most recent test, requires a visual check to determine whether it has progressed beyond a minor weep, as oil contamination can degrade CV joint boots and surrounding rubber bushings over time. The rear braking system also demands scrutiny. The September 2023 failure recorded an inoperative nearside rear parking brake, excessive central parking brake lever movement, and parking brake efficiency below requirements, pointing to either a seized rear caliper or stretched cables. Although the vehicle passed in 2024 and 2025 without these items being flagged, a buyer should test the handbrake on a slope and check for uneven rear brake pad wear. The repeated registration plate lamp failures across three separate tests suggest a wiring or bulb holder issue rather than a simple bulb replacement, so a function check of all rear lights is advisable. Finally, the front tyres showed cracking and perishing in September 2025, a condition consistent with the vehicle's low annual mileage and possible long stationary periods, meaning the tyre age and sidewall condition should be examined carefully regardless of remaining tread depth.