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PEUGEOT 208 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 12,275 MOT tests from 1,273 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every PEUGEOT 208 has the same fault.

PEUGEOT 208's have a very good reliability rating of 652/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PEUGEOT 208 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the PEUGEOT 208.

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Check a Peugeot 208 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Peugeot 208 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2019744/999Very good74,829 miles1,107 vehicles
Petrol2019840/999Excellent72,677 miles8,507 vehicles
Diesel2018669/999Good73,935 miles1,996 vehicles
Petrol2017700/999Very good72,833 miles14,874 vehicles
Diesel2016606/999Good73,440 miles4,732 vehicles
Diesel2015581/999Above average74,179 miles6,543 vehicles
Petrol2014655/999Good84,005 miles16,647 vehicles
Petrol2013605/999Good83,043 miles18,243 vehicles
Petrol2012568/999Above average82,276 miles16,002 vehicles
Diesel2012555/999Above average73,999 miles7,042 vehicles

How reliable is the PEUGEOT 208?

Based on 12,275 MOT tests from 1,273 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,273

MOT tests

12,275

Pass rate

77.8%

Median mileage

68,147 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PEUGEOT 208 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 706 out of 999.

Common PEUGEOT 208 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,683 advisory comments and 177 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 869 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 430 advisory comments and 205 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: REAR EXHAUST MOUNTING DEFECTIVE (6.1.2 (A))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 431 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 340 advisory comments and 58 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 329 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 238 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 151 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP NOT WORKING ON DIPPED BEAM (4.1.1 (A) (II))

PEUGEOT 208 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2026200—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025230—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024252100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023364283.3%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2022367588%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20213511987.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20204721481.8%Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
20196336183.9%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20186547281.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20179886878%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016160150782.1%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015178199278.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014176221577.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013206290275.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
201285132473.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used PEUGEOT 208

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

  • Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Buying a PEUGEOT 208?

Common problems tell you what can affect PEUGEOT 208s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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