Peugeot 108 MOT Failures

An analysis of 1,321,743 real DVSA MOT tests on the Peugeot 108 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: MK1 (2014–2022).

Where the Peugeot 108 fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Peugeot 108 is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 18 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,321,743 MOT tests, 1.79% of all Peugeot 108 tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (35x the fleet average), wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... (7.7x the fleet average), transmission joint, belt or chain worn (13x the fleet average), and emissions failure (11x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Peugeot 108's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Wheels, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions and others. If you're inspecting a Peugeot 108 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Peugeot 108's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Peugeot 108 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (32x the average) and rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (23x). wheel distorted or worn to the extent the wheel... (20x) and stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... (13x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Peugeot 108 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (35x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (14x). headlight fault (9.5x) and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (8.2x) also appear frequently.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Peugeot 108 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (15x the average) and wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... (7.3x). emissions failure (6.6x) and emissions failure also appear frequently.

The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Peugeot 108 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Emissions system deterioration Major

The 108 shows elevated emissions failures at The small capacity engines run at high specific outputs which places stress on emissions components including lambda sensors, catalytic converters, and EGR systems where fitted.. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£800.

Electronic stability control system faults Major

The 1.0-litre variants show ESC malfunction indicator lamp failures at This typically indicates wheel speed sensor faults, ESC control unit problems, or wiring issues affecting the electronic stability control system. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£500.

Suspension bush and joint wear

The 108 shows unusually high rates of suspension bush and joint wear, particularly on the front lower control arms and anti-roll bar drop links. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Exhaust system corrosion and mounting failure

The 108 demonstrates premature exhaust system failure at 36.6 times the national fleet average, with failures occurring unusually early - some within the first 20,000 miles. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£450.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Peugeot 108 common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Peugeot 108

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Peugeot 108:

Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Lights & Electrics — check for rear registration plate lamp or light source mi..., headlight fault. Wheels — check for wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and.... Bodywork — check for transmission joint, belt or chain worn, exhaust system damage.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about emissions system deterioration and electronic stability control system faults. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £150. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.