Used buying checklist
Peugeot 508 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Peugeot 508 looks about average for reliability in UK MOT data: 20.1% of 22,321 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 20.1% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 92,268 miles
- 4,480 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (14.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, and ball joint has excessive play.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint has excessive play
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- slightly loose
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- warning lamp indicates a fault
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
Focus on suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
The model's recorded failure rate is 20.1%, +1.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed22,321 tests
- Median tested mileage92,268 miles
- Failed MOT tests4,480
Should you buy a used Peugeot 508?
79.9% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 20.1%, +1.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (14.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 508, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 14.5% at 0-3 years to 23.1% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (14.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (12.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 508, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (14.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Peugeot 508 mainly involve 6 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, mixed recall notices, lights and electrical, and brakes. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 508, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 4,813 | 3,986 | 13.5%+2.7 percentage points vs all models | 32,330 miles |
| 50-100k | 7,617 | 6,026 | 19.3%-1.4 percentage points vs all models | 76,950 miles |
| 100-150k | 6,911 | 5,229 | 23.4%-2.8 percentage points vs all models | 120,075 miles |
| 150-200k | 2,273 | 1,666 | 25.7%-1.5 percentage points vs all models | 166,514 miles |
| 200k+ | 602 | 430 | 26.1%-0.5 percentage points vs all models | 225,026 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 508, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 14.5% at 0-3 years to 23.1% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 23.1% for 10-15 years cars, based on 10,860 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
958 | 816 | 14.5%+6.1 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
3,983 | 3,257 | 14.5%+3.9 percentage points vs all models | 4.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
6,520 | 5,092 | 19.3%+2.7 percentage points vs all models | 8.9 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
10,860 | 8,216 | 23.1%-0.5 percentage points vs all models | 11.2 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-10-27 | Peugeot 508 BCM software Stop/Start System On affected vehicles the engine will run all the time and will not shut off in start/stop mode due to incorrect Body Control Module coding. Update the Body Control Module software. |
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| 2025-01-09 | Peugeot 508 Selective Catalytic Reduction - diagnosis issues On affected vehicles the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software is not according to specification. Upload modified software to the ECU. |
| 2024-12-06 | Peugeot - Cross carline Radio software via OTA update On affected vehicles the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) functionality may not meet regulatory requirements and the Active Emergency Brake (AEB) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) can inadvertently be deactivated by a long press of the ADAS button on the radio. On the affected vehicles the radio software will be updated by an Over-The-Air update which will be remotely checked as successfully installed. |
| 2021-08-03 | THE ACCESSORY ROOF RACK COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE IF USED TO CARRY ITEMS OTHER THAN A ROOF BOX The accessory roof rack for the Peugeot 508 saloon could detach from the vehicle if used to carry items other than a roof box. A full refund will be offered by the selling retailer (return of the roof rack and receipt) and recommend the customer purchase another solution to transport bicycle(s). |
| 2020-11-13 | THE FILTERING PERFORMANCE OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION The filtering performance of the Diesel Particle Filter (DPF) may not meet the required specification. Replace the DPF on affected vehicles. |
| 2020-02-25 | CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION FIXING BOLTS MAY NOT CONFORM TO SPECIFICATION Certain rear suspension fixing bolts may not conform to specification which could cause them to break. Replace the affected bolts |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Peugeot 508. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Peugeot reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.