Peugeot 208 — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Peugeot 208 overview
With 259,104 currently licensed in the UK, the Peugeot 208 is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the 208 4 stars in 2019, with 91% adult occupant and 86% child protection scores.
It has a 77.2% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, lighting, brakes.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,221 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £185/month or 30p/mile.
Theft risk is rated very low at 2.7 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2019
MOT Pass Rate
77.2%
280,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£185
est. annual total
New From
£20,495
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the 208 in 2019 and awarded it 4 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
91%
Child Occupant
86%
Pedestrian
56%
Safety Assist
71%
Safety recalls
There are 56 known DVSA recalls affecting the Peugeot 208. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2026/231
Affected vehicle have a horn volume which does not comply with regulatory requirements.
Build dates: 2019-09-01 to 2022-07-25
R/2026/206
On affected vehicles the front suspension lower control arm upper bolts may not have been tightened according to specification during assembly.
Build dates: 2025-07-08 to 2025-09-09
R/2026/183
On affected vehicles the Lane Keep Assist tell-tale fails to illuminate if the front camera is blocked meaning no warning light appears in the instrument cluster.
Build dates: 2024-04-11 to 2025-04-09
R/2026/071
Affected vehicles may have been assembled with contact or with a reduced clearance between the Gasoline Particulate Filter pipe and the pole protection cap of the 48V Belt Starter Generator. There is a possibility of contact between these components leading to water infiltration and an electrical arch which could trigger a thermal event.
Build dates: 2023-06-07 to 2026-01-21
R/2025/344
Vehicles may be affected by incorrect performance of the On-Board-Diagnostics related to Selective Catalytic Reduction system and/or Diesel Particle Filter. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may not illuminate in the event of a malfunction and therefore does not comply with emission regulations.
Build dates: 2017-11-07 to 2020-10-02
+ 51 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 280,000 MOT tests, the 208 has a first-time pass rate of 77.2% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The 208 is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Peugeot 208 are estimated at around £2,221 per year, or £185 per month.
Fuel
£876
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£745
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The 208 achieves a combined fuel economy of around 65.7 mpg (55.4 mpg urban, 74.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 208 | PETROL | 65.7 mpg | 1.0L |
| 208 | PETROL | 44.8 mpg | 1.2L |
| 208 | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 65.7 mpg | 1.2L |
| 208 | DIESEL | 83.1 mpg | 1.4L |
| 208 | DIESEL | 67 mpg | 1.5L |
| 208 | DIESEL | 78.5 mpg | 1.6L |
| 208 | PETROL | 50.4 mpg | 1.6L |
| 208 HATCH | PETROL | 65.7 mpg | 1.0L |
Depreciation
Starting from £20,495 new, a Peugeot 208 typically retains about 50% after 3 years and 42% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 68% | £13,850 | −£6,645 |
| 2 years | 57% | £11,750 | −£8,745 |
| 3 years | 50% | £10,350 | −£10,145 |
| 4 years | 45% | £9,300 | −£11,195 |
| 5 years | 42% | £8,550 | −£11,945 |
| 6 years | 39% | £7,950 | −£12,545 |
| 7 years | 37% | £7,500 | −£12,995 |
| 8 years | 35% | £7,100 | −£13,395 |
| 9 years | 33% | £6,750 | −£13,745 |
| 10 years | 31% | £6,400 | −£14,095 |
Theft risk
The 208 has a theft rate of 2.7 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated very low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.
How common is the 208?
There are currently 259,104 licensed and 6,556 SORN 208s in the UK (265,660 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Peugeot 208 reliable?
The 208 has a 77.2% first-time MOT pass rate based on 280,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Peugeot 208?
Euro NCAP awarded the 208 4 out of 5 stars when tested in 2019. It scored 91% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 56% for vulnerable road users, and 71% for safety assist features.
How much does a Peugeot 208 cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old 208 are estimated at around £2,221 per year (£185/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Peugeot 208?
There are 56 known safety recalls affecting the 208. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
Is the Peugeot 208 likely to be stolen?
The 208 has a theft rate of 2.7 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated very low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Standard security precautions should be sufficient.
How much does a new Peugeot 208 cost?
A new 208 starts from around £20,495. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 42% of its original value.
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