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Used Car Expert Rating

Peugeot 208 (2012 to 2019)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

57
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

59
%
E

Safety Rating:

42
%
E

Eco Rating:

-

Reliability Rating:

72
%
C

Running Costs:

-

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

57
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

59
%
E

Safety Rating:

42
%
E

Eco Rating:

-

Reliability Rating:

72
%
C

Running Costs:

-

Summary


The Peugeot 208 is a compact five-door hatchback and a leftfield rival to established supermini class leaders like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. This page is dedicated to the first-generation model which first arrived in 2012, which was replaced by the current generation at the end of 2019.

The 208 range included a number of petrol and diesel engine options fitted with either a manual or automatic gearbox, and was topped by the performance-tuned 208 GTI model. The supermini had a mild update in early 2015, consisting of new on-board tech additions and revisions to its engine line-up.

A direct successor to the popular Peugeot 207 supermini, the 208 needed to be bold to live up to Peugeot’s successful supermini lineage, and Top Gear concluded that it met those high expectations. “Its reinvention of the supermini, a car that looks back to the 205 for design cues but also looks forward in finish, engineering and interior features.”

Auto Trader complemented the 208 for its smart exterior styling and its interior comfort, but nevertheless explained that the hatchback is “way too compromised in too many other areas to trouble the class leaders.”

The motoring media often note that the Ford Fiesta has better driving dynamics and more driver appeal, and that the 208 has some rather noisy petrol engine options.

As of May 2024, the Peugeot 208 holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 57%.

208 highlights

  • Efficient engines with low emissions
  • Stylish exterior
  • Comfortable interior that has aged well
  • Suited to agile city driving

208 lowlights

  • Rather rough automatic gearbox
  • Noisy petrol engines
  • Ill-equipped entry-level trim
  • Fiesta has better driving dynamics

Key specifications


Body style: Five-door hatchback
Engines:
petrol, diesel
Price when new:
From £11,695 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2012
Last updated: Spring 2015
Replaced: Winter 2019/20


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Autocar

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Fleetworld

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

What Car?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2012
Date expired: January 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 78%
Vulnerable road users: 61%
Safety assist: 83%

No safety rating

The first-generation Peugeot 208 was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2012 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2018 and is no longer valid. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Peugeot 208 to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Peugoet 208 range was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Peugeot 208 has a reliability score that’s about average, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both this 208 and the previous (pre-2019) versions.

Unfortunately, the most frequently reported problems with the 208 relate to its engine, which can lead to a bill in the range of £1,100. A common car on UK roads, MotorEasy has received several warranty claims for electrical system, suspension and braking system faults, but these types of repairs are comparitively much cheaper to fix.

If you’re looking at a used Peugeot 208, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

No data

Due to its age, we don’t have any running cost data on the Peugeot 208.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Peugeot 208 has received

2015

  • Next Green Car Awards – Best Supermini

2014

  • Fleet News AwardsBest Small Car

2013

  • Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year
  • CarSite Awards – Best Supermini

2012

  • Auto Express Awards – Best Supermini
  • Company Car of the Year Awards – Most Cost-Efficient Car
  • Fleet News Awards – Best Small Car

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Peugeot 208, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Ford Fiesta | Honda Jazz | Hyundai i20 | Kia Rio | Mazda 2 | MG 3 | Mini hatch | Mitsubishi Mirage | Nissan Micra | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Suzuki Swift | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo

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Subscribe to a Peugeot 208


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Good-looking and economical, the first iteration of the Peugeot 208 is a capable supermini with character, though it is not a fun as a Ford Fiesta.Peugeot 208 (2012 to 2019)