Seven-seat style that the school run desperately needed
The 5008 is Peugeot's seven-seat family SUV, competing with the Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento. The second generation (2017 onwards) transformed it from a frumpy MPV into a stylish, desirable SUV that appeals to families who want seven seats without the school-run blandness. It offers French flair at a competitive price point with efficient engine options.
We track 7 known issues across the Peugeot 5008 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Peugeot 5008? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Mk1 (2009–2016) — Petrol options included the 1.6 THP, with 1.6 HDi, 2.0 HDi on the diesel side. We track 6 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Electronic parking brake failure.
T87 (2017–2024) — Petrol options included the 1.2 PureTech, 1.6 THP, with 1.5 BlueHDi on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Timing chain failure (£800–£1,200 to address).
The EP6FDT 1.6 THP engine uses a timing chain system with documented premature wear of the chain and tensioner components. The wet-belt-in-oil design is particularly sensitive to oil quality and change intervals. Chain stretch occurs progressively, initially causing timing retardation and poor performance, but can lead to complete chain failure with catastrophic engine damage. This is the same fundamental issue affecting the 3008 with identical engines. Extended oil change intervals accelerate the problem significantly.
Complete timing chain failure results in piston-to-valve contact and total engine destruction requiring replacement. Repair costs typically exceed the vehicle's value. Early intervention when chain stretch is detected allows replacement before catastrophic failure, but the engine must be removed for access.
Listen for any unusual knocking, tapping or rattling from the engine at idle and under load. Check the oil for metal particles or discolouration. On higher-mileage examples, a professional compression test can reveal internal wear before it becomes critical.
The electronic parking brake system uses electric motors and control modules that fail at dramatically higher rates than conventional handbrakes. MOT data shows failure rates up to 77.5 times the fleet average, with the 2.0 diesel variant particularly affected. The system can fail to engage or release, and malfunction indicator lights commonly illuminate. This affects both generations as part of the shared platform design referenced in the expert database entry for 3008 commonality.
Complete parking brake failure creates safety risks on slopes and prevents legal parking. The electronic system requires specialist diagnostic equipment and genuine parts for repair. Manual release procedures exist but are complex and temporary only.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Diesel variants show elevated MOT failure rates for emissions and smoke opacity, with the 2.0 diesel showing The diesel particulate filter (DPF) blocks with soot during urban driving cycles, triggering regeneration cycles and eventually complete blockage. This is exacerbated by the PSA DPF system design which is particularly sensitive to short journey patterns common in UK urban use.
Complete DPF blockage requires professional cleaning or replacement. Cleaning costs £200-400, while replacement costs £800-1500. Continued driving with DPF warnings can damage the turbocharger and engine through excessive back-pressure. Vehicle will fail MOT emissions tests.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
CV joint boots deteriorate at rates up to 10.7 times the fleet average, particularly affecting early mileage vehicles around 20,000-40,000 miles. The boot material appears to have durability issues specific to this model platform. Once split, the CV joint loses lubrication and ingests contaminants, leading to joint failure. This issue spans both generations and all engine variants as documented in MOT statistical evidence.
Split boots allow water and dirt to contaminate the CV joint, leading to complete joint failure within months. Replacement of the entire driveshaft assembly is then required instead of a simple boot replacement. Early detection allows inexpensive boot replacement to prevent costly joint damage.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The PSA EMP2 platform appears to have durability issues with rubber suspension components, particularly front suspension arm bushes and anti-roll bar links. Premature wear can occur from 20,000 miles on some vehicles.
Worn suspension components affect handling precision and safety, particularly in emergency manoeuvres. Progressive deterioration leads to uneven tyre wear and MOT failure. Individual components can typically be replaced without full suspension renewal.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Peugeot 5008 common problems page.
Based on 137k real DVSA MOT tests, the Peugeot 5008 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is parking brake inefficient at 50x the fleet average, followed by front or rear fog lamp not securely attached (43x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Peugeot 5008 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600), timing chain service (£800–£1,200).
See the full Peugeot 5008 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Peugeot 5008 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2018-2020 second-generation models are the sweet spot — the early teething issues were resolved while the interior still feels modern. Ensure any 1.2 PureTech has had its wet timing belt replaced within the 6-year/62,000-mile schedule. Avoid early 2009-2012 first-generation MPVs which had more electrical and gearbox problems.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Peugeot 5008, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Peugeot 5008 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.