2015 Peugeot 208 1.2L Petrol · YR15 KUG

A clear pattern of emerging mechanical wear defines this Peugeot 208's recent MOT record, with two failures logged within the space of just over a year against four prior passes. The 2025-07-28 test recorded an emissions exceedance at idle alongside minor lighting defects, while the 2025-09-10 retest uncovered a far more serious cluster of braking and suspension issues: an ABS warning lamp fault, a dangerously thin front brake pad reading, and a worn Macpherson strut top mount on the offside front. The 2026-07-27 pass is reassuring on the surface, but it followed directly from that substantial rectification work and carries its own advisory for nearside front tyre wear close to the legal limit, indicating that consumable wear on this chassis is still progressing actively rather than having stabilised. Against an eleven-year lifespan, the recorded 89,433 miles equates to roughly 8,130 miles per year, which sits close to the typical band for a car of this age and therefore offers no particular cause for concern regarding long-term underuse or abnormal accumulation. There is a noticeable gap in testing between 2020-09-30 and 2022-06-08, during which the vehicle appears not to have been presented for an MOT, and another longer interval between 2022-06-08 and 2023-06-19, which could simply reflect SORN periods or a change in testing routine rather than any mechanical concern. The mileage progression across recorded tests appears consistent with steady road use rather than any sudden spikes, suggesting the braking and suspension wear observed is the natural consequence of accumulated mileage on a front-driven supermini rather than any unusual usage profile. For a prospective buyer, the front axle is the priority area for physical inspection, given the multiple brake and suspension advisories across several tests. The strut top mount failure recorded as a Major in late 2025 should be confirmed as rectified, and any clonking or knocking from the offside front over speed humps or uneven tarmac would suggest the replacement unit is already settling prematurely. Both front brake discs were flagged as pitted and scored in 2025 and noted as worn in 2023, so the discs should be measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping on test, while pedal feel and any judder under firm braking warrants direct attention given the dangerous pad reading that was recorded. The ABS warning lamp fault is particularly significant on wet roads, so the system should be re-scanned to confirm the underlying wheel speed sensor or reluctor ring issue has been resolved, as ABS intervention is essential for safe emergency stopping on this platform. The remaining advisories are more cosmetic or slow-moving in nature but still worth verifying. The recurring front tyre edge-wear pattern across 2023, 2024 and 2026 strongly suggests a tracking or geometry issue, possibly linked to the worn top mount, and a four-wheel alignment check would be prudent alongside any tyre replacement. The exhaust has carried advisories for a broken rear silencer bracket and a defective mounting since 2020, which suggests the system may be hanging on its remaining hangers and could be close to needing replacement, particularly given the 2025 carbon monoxide exceedance at idle which can point toward a failing catalytic converter or lambda sensor on a higher-mileage 1.2 or 1.6 unit. Finally, the nearside rear tyre perishing advisory from 2022 and 2023 should be re-examined for sidewall cracking, as five-year-old rubber can deteriorate regardless of tread depth and is a common failure point on vehicles of this vintage.