2016 Peugeot 208 MOT pass rate: 79.4% (76,001 tests)
Is the 2016 208 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2016-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 82.2% -1.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 79.1% -2.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 76.7% -2.9 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2016 208
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6,839 | 20.2% |
| 2 | Tyres | 6,253 | 18.5% |
| 3 | Brakes | 4,974 | 14.7% |
| 4 | Suspension | 4,931 | 14.6% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 4,751 | 14.0% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3,704 | 10.9% |
All 208 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 41,841 | 66.9% | -4.4 pts | 76,049 |
| 2013 | 96,222 | 68.8% | -4.6 pts | 70,755 |
| 2014 | 84,745 | 72.0% | -3.8 pts | 63,180 |
| 2015 | 80,911 | 77.7% | -1.1 pts | 56,886 |
| 2016 (this page) | 76,001 | 79.4% | -2.0 pts | 50,994 |
| 2017 | 51,941 | 80.6% | -3.4 pts | 43,807 |
| 2018 | 44,991 | 83.4% | -2.9 pts | 35,916 |
| 2019 | 50,211 | 87.5% | -0.9 pts | 28,341 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Peugeot 208 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2016 Peugeot 208 reliable?
2016-registered examples passed 79.4% of their MOT tests (76,001 tests, 2023–2025), -2.0 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 10 years old with a median 50,994 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2016 208?
The median tested example shows 50,994 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2016 208?
In this cohort petrols pass 80.5% of tests against 74.3% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.