Comparison · family hatchbacks

Ford Focus vs Peugeot 308: which is more reliable?

The Ford Focus does better at the MOT, with a score of 99 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,023,996 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Focus

99About average
MOT tests893,948

Peugeot 308

91Well below average
MOT tests130,048

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FocusPeugeot 308
3–5 years
100About average
99About average
6–9 years
103Above average
94Below average
10–14 years
96Below average
89Well below average
15+ years
97Below average
85Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FocusPeugeot 308
202188.3%88.4%
202087.8%86.3%
201983.7%83.5%
201883.4%77.9%
201782.5%75.1%
201679.4%71.2%
201575.6%68.5%
201467.4%63.2%
201363.9%57.2%
201263.3%57.0%
201159.1%57.6%
201057.2%52.3%
200956.8%49.9%
200855.6%48.6%
200757.4%48.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FocusPeugeot 308
Lights & electrics21.019.6
Suspension12.614.2
Brakes7.512.3
Tyres8.89.2
Emissions & leaks4.66.3
Body & chassis3.66.5
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.65.0
Steering1.53.5

Ford Focus: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%

Peugeot 308: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  6. Stop lamp: not working1.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Focus or the Peugeot 308?

The Ford Focus does better at the MOT, with a score of 99 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Focus and Peugeot 308 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Ford Focus had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Peugeot 308 in 1.

What fails most on each?

Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Peugeot 308: coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.