2012 Peugeot 208 (first used 2012) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 58.2% of Peugeot 208s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 42,264 208 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were body, chassis and structure, lamps and electrical equipment and noise, emissions and leaks.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Peugeot 208s first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Peugeot 208 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 208s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 208 figure was 5.3 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 208 | All cars first used 2012 | 208 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65.1% | 68.8% | 15,317 |
| 2022 | 63.3% | 67.4% | 15,136 |
| 2023 | 61.2% | 65.6% | 14,792 |
| 2024 | 59.0% | 64.3% | 14,144 |
| 2025 | 58.2% | 63.5% | 13,328 |
Common 2012 Peugeot 208 MOT failures
Share of the 17,109 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 27.4% | 4,681 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 10.1% | 1,728 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 8.5% | 1,462 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.0% | 1,374 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 7.4% | 1,259 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2012 Peugeot 208 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
Common 2012 Peugeot 208 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 208s, as a share of all 42,264 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.8% | 7,965 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 15.7% | 6,633 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 12.7% | 5,367 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.0% | 4,660 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | 8.9% | 3,768 |
Questions about the 2012 Peugeot 208 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Peugeot 208?
In 2025, 58.2% of 208s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 208 most often fail its MOT on?
Body, chassis and structure (in 39.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (36.4%) and noise, emissions and leaks (27.5%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (27.4%).
How often does a 2012 Peugeot 208 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 41.8% of first tests on 208s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 34.4% failed, and a further 7.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 17,109 of 42,264 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Peugeot 208 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (15.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (12.7%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.0%) and “Exhaust system: mounting defective” (8.9%).
Is a 2012 Peugeot 208 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 65.1% in 2021 to 58.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 208?
The numbers above cover every 208 first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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