82.6%
pass rate across 88,410 tests
79.3% first-time pass rate
52,309 mi median at test
Peugeot 208 2016 vs 2019
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 143,090 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
88.8%
pass rate across 54,680 tests
87.5% first-time pass rate
29,158 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2019 208 passes more — but most of it is age
Across 143,090 tests, the 2019 208 passes 88.8% of MOTs and the 2016 82.6%. The 2019 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 29,158 miles against 52,309, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2019 is −0.7 points and the 2016 −1.4 — a like-for-like gap of +0.7 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £26–£75 on the 2016 and £22–£63 on the 2019. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 62% of the 2016's recorded faults and 70% of the 2019's. Both years fail most often on number plate lamp.
- Pass rate: 82.6% vs 88.8%
- Tests: 88,410 vs 54,680
- Like-for-like: −1.4 vs −0.7 pts
- Median mileage: 52,309 vs 29,158 mi
- Typical repair: £26–£75 vs £22–£63
- Cheap fixes: 62% vs 70%
| Measure | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 88,410 | 54,680 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 82.6% | 88.8% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 79.3% | 87.5% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | −1.4 pts | −0.7 pts stronger figure |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | −1.4 pts | −0.7 pts stronger figure |
| Average mileage at test | 54,843 mi | 32,302 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 52,309 mi | 29,158 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £26–£75 | £22–£63 stronger figure |
| Repairs under £30 | 62% | 70% stronger figure |
| Most common failing part | Number Plate Lamp | Number Plate Lamp |
| Variants recorded | 1 | 1 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 82% | Petrol 94% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2016 208
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 7.0% £5–£20
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 2.5% £80–£250
- Battery(ies) insecure but not likely to fall from carrier 2.1% £60–£140
- Headlamp not working on dipped beam 1.9% £5–£25
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps 1.6% £5–£20
2019 208
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 6.8% £5–£20
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps 1.8% £5–£20
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 1.6% £80–£250
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps 1.6% £5–£20
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.3% £45–£95
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 90.7% · 12,318 tests | 92.6% · 28,463 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 84.3% · 43,533 tests | 85.2% · 22,235 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 78.0% · 25,610 tests | 81.6% · 3,465 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 75.0% · 5,669 tests | 81.3% · 434 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 74.6% · 1,266 tests | 76.1% · 71 tests |
What to check before you buy
2016 Peugeot 208
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 7.0% of tests · £5–£20
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt — 2.5% of tests · £80–£250
- Battery(ies) insecure but not likely to fall from carrier — 2.1% of tests · £60–£140
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2019 Peugeot 208
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 6.8% of tests · £5–£20
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps — 1.8% of tests · £5–£20
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt — 1.6% of tests · £80–£250
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Peugeot 208? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Peugeot 208 →
Or put the 208 against another model: Compare the Peugeot 208 side by side →