Peugeot 208 hatchback - Reliability & safety

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.

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.