Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Peugeot 208 hatchback - Reliability & safety

Peugeot has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction and safety

Carbuyer Rating

4.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

2.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

The Peugeot 208 came 51st out of the top 75 models in our 2023 Driver Power survey – slipping from 37th the previous year. Customers ranked it about average for reliability, but really rated their cars’ handling and ride quality. Disappointing scores for interior style will be something Peugeot wants to fix with the 208's facelift due later in 2023.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Overall, Peugeot came ninth out of 32 manufacturers, which again constitutes a drop year-on-year – from fourth in 2022. As was seen with the 208’s specific results, Peugeot customers generally think their cars are stylish and drive well. It’s a result that puts Peugeot ahead of Citroen, Toyota and Nissan. Around 19% of Peugeot respondents told us their car had experienced a fault within the first year, which isn’t too bad either.

Safety

The latest 208 scored four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing in 2019, where other cars of this type like the new Renault Clio scored the full five. This was disappointing for Peugeot, as most cars achieve the full five-star safety rating. The new 208 scored well overall in all categories but lost points due to lack of adequate whiplash protection for rear adult passengers, which is something buyers considering a new 208 should think about if they regularly carry adults in the back.

On the plus side, there are a plethora of driving aids available, from adaptive cruise control to lane positioning assist, traffic sign recognition to blind spot monitoring. It also features driver attention monitoring, which works at speeds over 40mph and analyses steering wheel movements to detect alertness.

Servicing

Peugeot offers inflation-proof servicing plans, covering costs with an up front or monthly direct debit payment. Plans cost around £15 per month for 36 months/30,000 miles or approximately £20 per month for four or five years of cover, while e-208 plans are almost half-price.

Warranty

Peugeot offers a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which was long the industry standard, but now the likes of Hyundai, Toyota and Kia provide free cover lasting from five to seven years. Given this, the 208's warranty looks rather stingy in comparison. The battery pack in the Peugeot e-208 EV is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles for added peace of mind.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best new cars under £20,000
Best new cars under £20k
Best cars
20 Sep 2023

Top 10 best new cars under £20,000

Peugeot 208 hatchback review
Peugeot 208 hatchback
In-depth reviews
15 Aug 2023

Peugeot 208 hatchback review

What is Peugeot i-Cockpit?
Peugeot i-Cockpit
Tips and advice
6 Jun 2023

What is Peugeot i-Cockpit?

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024