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Peugeot 208 reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-present2 named generationssuperminiHatchbackPETROL / ELECTRICITY / DIESEL
At a glance

Peugeot 208 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Peugeot 208 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Peugeot 208 by number plate

Key figure

22% of MOT tests on Peugeot 208 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Peugeot 208 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Peugeot 208's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 208's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

208 Mk2

Mk2 (2019-present)

Poor
PETROLELECTRICITYDIESEL

17.3% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 16,716 MOT tests at this ageView details →
208 Mk1

Mk1 (2012-2018)

Poor
PETROLDIESEL

23.6% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 12,364 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Peugeot 208.

See every build year for the Peugeot 208

Side-by-side

Peugeot 208 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2019-present)
Poor
Poor17.3%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 16,716 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (2012-2018)
Poor
Poor23.6%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 12,364 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the 208, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Peugeot 208 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Peugeot 208 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
20,12012.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
17,81315.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
16,71617.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
20,71619.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
19,92722.2%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
26,83523.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
34,08523.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
36,34525.7%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
41,09128.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
36,66429.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
7,12630.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Peugeot 208 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Peugeot models

6th of 7

6th lowest fail rate of 7 Peugeot models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

68th of 84

68th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

22.2%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Peugeot 208 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Peugeot 208 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.6%
    Advisory: 4,217Fail: 379 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.6%
    Advisory: 4,007Fail: 737 (16% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.2%
    Advisory: 2,862Fail: 65 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    10.5%
    Advisory: 1,955Fail: 338 (15% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    9.4%
    Advisory: 2,609Fail: 308 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 19,927 MOT tests on 7-year-old Peugeot 208 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Peugeot 208 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres25%
  2. Lighting + Tyres22%
  3. Emissions & exhaust + Tyres16%
  4. Suspension + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 6,829 MOT tests on Peugeot 208 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

59 recalls in all

56 of the 59 Peugeot 208 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 Critical
  • 48 more

Top concerns

  • Peugeot fuel pipe
  • On affected vehicles the a pillar trim may be incorrectly assembled which could lead to detachment of the trim through l
  • Starter motor may not operate correctly

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 22.2% for the Peugeot 208, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 22.2% for the Peugeot 208, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 22.2% for the Peugeot 208, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 22.2% for the Peugeot 208, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Peugeot 208 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 6th lowest fail rate of 7 Peugeot models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 19,927 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Peugeot 208 ever sold: 277,438 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 19,927 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.