Small car · 2000–2021 cars

Peugeot 208 reliability

The Peugeot 208 fails 27.5% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 597,373 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 26/100#46 of 63 small cars

Checking a Peugeot 208 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 27.5%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 27% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 597,373; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,000; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Peugeot 208 has a first-time MOT fail rate of 27.5%, compared with 28.4% for all cars. But against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 27% more MOT fails, ranking 46 of 63 small car models. 2021 was its best year, with 17% more fails than comparable cars, while 2020 was weakest at 46% more. Body, chassis and structure is the weak spot, with 350% more fails there than comparable cars. Don't be put off: a well-kept 208 can still be a sensible buy if you check it properly.

Check the most common MOT failures first. Look at the CV joint boot for splits or looseness (3.63% of tests), the dipped beam headlamp (2.78%), the registration plate lamp (2.49%) and tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.91%). Then check under the car and along the sills for corrosion or damage, and ask for the MOT history.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Peugeot 208 ages

Each point is the share of Peugeot 208s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Peugeot 208All cars

Peugeot 208 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Peugeot 208	All cars
3	13.2%	12.3%
4	17.1%	14.1%
5	20.6%	16.4%
6	23.7%	19.1%
7	26%	22.1%
8	29.9%	25.5%
9	34.5%	28.8%
10	37.6%	31.8%
11	40%	34.6%
12	40.5%	37.3%

By year

The best and worst Peugeot 208 years

2021 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Peugeot 208 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 208	5,591	13.1%	17% more fails	22,584
2020 208	23,046	16.6%	46% more fails	23,408
2019 208	41,569	15.2%	25% more fails	25,218
2018 208	49,968	18.3%	33% more fails	30,452
2017 208	56,213	22.4%	37% more fails	38,145
2016 208	82,475	24.1%	26% more fails	45,448
2015 208	88,785	27%	22% more fails	51,907
2014 208	93,918	32.5%	28% more fails	58,668
2013 208	108,753	36.2%	25% more fails	66,653
2012 208	47,017	38.8%	23% more fails	71,881

Common problems

What fails most on a Peugeot 208

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 350% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics10.9%57% above avg
Body, chassis and structure7.3%350% above avg
Tyres5.5%1% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.3%219% above avg
Brakes4.4%2% above avg
Suspension4.3%23% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%17% below avg
Steering0.8%28% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%13% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.63% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
2
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.78% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
3
Registration plate lamp not working 2.49% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.91% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Exhaust system insecurely mounted 1.88% of tests
A loose exhaust can drop or hit the road, causing damage and noise, so it must be secured.
6
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.7% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
7
Stop lamp not working 1.34% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.27% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Peugeot 208's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.49%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.43%
Brake disc pitted or scored10.08%
Exhaust mounting defective7.05%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.72%
Brake pads wearing thin4.46%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Peugeot 208

1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
2
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
3
Registration plate lamp not working
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Peugeot 208 covers about 7,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol78.5%
Diesel20.5%
Electric1.1%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Black, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 1.3 litres.

Compare

How the Peugeot 208 compares with its rivals

Peugeot 208 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A1	21.3%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Note	34.9%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ibiza	33.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 208	27.5%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C3	35.6%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 207	49%	31% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Peugeot models.

Questions

Peugeot 208 questions, answered

Is the Peugeot 208 reliable?

On MOT results, the Peugeot 208 is well below average: it fails 27.5% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 46 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Peugeot 208 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Peugeot 208 are cv joint boot split or insecure (3.63% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.78% of tests), registration plate lamp not working (2.49% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.9% of its tests.

Which Peugeot 208 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (17% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (46% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Peugeot 208 do a year?

A typical Peugeot 208 covers about 7,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Peugeot 208 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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