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Peugeot 208 Mk2 (2019-present) reliability

At a glance

Peugeot 208 Mk2 built around 2020: about average at the MOT

Peugeot 208 Mk2 models built around 2020 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Peugeot 208 Mk2?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Peugeot 208 Mk2 models built around 2020 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Peugeot 208 Mk2 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Peugeot 208 Mk2
poor reliability2019-presentHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / ELECTRICITY

Based on 68,080 tests of 208 models registered 2019+.

About 1 in 9 petrol 208 cars registered in 2022 (11.1%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 10,308 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 50 208 Mk2 MOTs (2.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 16,716 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 208 Mk2 MOTs (4.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 16,716 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
13,43118.6%

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 6 years old.

How the 208 Mk2 compares

At each age below, see how the 208 Mk2 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 83,292 tests across 9 Peugeot models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail ratePeugeot average
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
13,43118.6%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 208 Mk2.

  1. 1

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    1.7%

    Lower fail rate: 8.5%, against 17.3% for the Peugeot 208 Mk2, both built around 2020.

    3,723 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 9.3%, against 17.3% for the Peugeot 208 Mk2, both built around 2020.

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

    4,392 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    2.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 10.9%, against 17.3% for the Peugeot 208 Mk2, both built around 2020.

    9,956 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Hyundai i20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.1%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 17.3% for the Peugeot 208 Mk2, both built around 2020.

    5,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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.

Recall context

59 recalls in all

37 of the 59 208 Mk2 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 35 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
  • Alternator protection

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

What has gone wrong on 208 Mk2 cars built around 2020

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,038 cars.

Structural systems

Drivetrain
9%
Emissions
8%
Suspension
3%

Wear items

Tyres
17%
Lighting
14%
Brakes
10%
How 208 Mk2 cars have aged

How 208 Mk2 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%3456Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (12,181 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 15.7% (11,476 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (10,544 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (9,986 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (9,389 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (14,150 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (13,474 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (13,480 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (13,431 tests, 2025 data)2019
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019
How each part holds up as Mk2 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk2 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension3%3%6%
Brakes7%10%13%
Emissions6%8%12%
Tyres17%17%24%
Lighting13%14%17%
Drivetrain6%9%12%
Corrosion0%0%1%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 1,038 to 1,269 cars at each age.

Mk2 variants compared

208 Mk2 variants built around 2020

The fail rate for each 208 Mk2 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • 20818.1%6,812 tests
  • 208 ALLURE PURETECH S/S15.2%1,808 tests
  • 208 GT LINE PURETECH S/S AUTO13.4%1,185 tests
  • 208 ACTIVE PURETECH S/S14.7%1,151 tests
  • 208 GT LINE PURETECH S/S12.6%777 tests
  • 208 ALLURE PREMIUM PURETECH SS15.4%758 tests
  • 208 ALLURE PURETECH S/S AUTO13.0%686 tests
  • 208 ALLURE PREMIUM PTECH S/S A11.8%203 tests

Electricity

  • 208 GT EV23.3%807 tests
  • 208 ALLURE EV23.7%763 tests
  • 208 GT LINE EV23.1%610 tests

Diesel

  • 20818.9%550 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Peugeot 208 models of this age

This list covers every Peugeot 208 built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.5%
    Advisory: 4,127Fail: 537 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    15.0%
    Advisory: 3,446Fail: 218 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    11.7%
    Advisory: 2,686Fail: 34 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.3%
    Advisory: 1,240Fail: 239 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.3%
    Advisory: 1,066Fail: 135 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 16,716 tests

Looking at a Peugeot 208 Mk2?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Peugeot 208 Mk2 (2019-present) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 16,716 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 68,080 MOT tests on Peugeot 208 models first registered from 2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.