Background photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used Peugeot 208 or Volkswagen Polo: which one to choose?
| Criterion |  Photo: MoCars, CC0 Peugeot 208 II |  Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0 Volkswagen Polo VI |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy with care | Good choice, check first |
| Reliability | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5best |
| Observed prices | €8,900 – €18,000 | €10,000 – €20,300 |
| Monthly cost (12,000 km/year) | €379best | €452 |
| Known faults | 3, 1 serious | 3, none seriousbest |
| Euro NCAP | 4/5 | 5/5best |
| Category | City car | City car |
| Fuel types | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel |
| Lowest consumption | 5.3 L/100 km | 4.4 L/100 km |
| Boot | 265 L | 351 Lbest |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
Our conclusion
The Polo VI is more reassuring mechanically (3.5/5 against 2/5): its documented faults mainly concern the DSG7 gearbox and a rear seatbelt recall, whereas the 208 II suffers from the serious faults of its 1.2 PureTech (timing belt, oil consumption) and 1.5 BlueHDi (timing chain) engines. The Polo is also rated better at Euro NCAP (5 stars in 2017, against 4 for the 208 in 2019) and offers more room (351 L against 265 L). Our advice: the Polo, preferably with a manual gearbox.
By Rédaction Quelle Occasion · updated on 9 October 2026