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Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Peugeot 208 I: the buying guide

City car · 2012–2019 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 44 sources cited · updated on 14 October 2026

Buy with care
Reliability
3.0/5
Estimated monthly cost
€269/month
Indicative prices
€3,500 – €8,200

5 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Peugeot 208 I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Buy with care

City car with a 285 L boot, rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2012. Its 1.2 petrol, naturally aspirated or turbo, has a fragile wet timing belt and can consume oil, and the first 1.2 VTi 82s were recalled for a crankshaft fault. Only buy with a complete service history and proof of the recalls; CarVerif considers it acceptable only under conditions.

Reliability
3.0/5
Indicative prices
€3,500 – €8,200
Monthly cost
€269
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.6 e-HDi 92, 1.6 BlueHDi 100.

  • 1.0 VTi 68

    Petrol · Manual · 68 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Naturally aspirated three-cylinder of 999 cm³ and 95 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox. Entry-level version.

  • 1.2 VTi/PureTech 82

    Petrol · Manual · 82 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.2 naturally aspirated three-cylinder (VTi, renamed PureTech), 5-speed manual gearbox. Wet timing belt, as on the turbo; CarVerif advises against it without independent inspection.

    Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.2 e-VTi 82 ETG5

    Petrol · Automatic · 82 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Same engine with the ETG5 single-clutch automated manual gearbox, criticised for jerks, especially when cold and when manoeuvring.

    Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.2 PureTech 110

    Petrol · Manual · 110 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.2 PureTech turbo with 205 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox. Affected by the vacuum pump recall (2013-2017) and by the belt and oil consumption faults.

    Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.2 PureTech 110 EAT6

    Petrol · Automatic · 110 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Same turbo engine with the 6-speed EAT6 automatic gearbox.

    Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.4 HDi 68

    Diesel · Manual · 68 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Small 1.4 diesel with 68 hp, manual gearbox.

  • 1.6 e-HDi 92

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Manual · 92 hp · 3.8 L/100 km · 98 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 diesel (DV6) with 92 hp, manual gearbox.

    Engine: PSA 1.6 HDi / BlueHDi (DV6)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.6 e-HDi 115

    Diesel · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 diesel (DV6) with 115 hp, manual gearbox.

    Engine: PSA 1.6 HDi / BlueHDi (DV6)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.6 BlueHDi 75

    Diesel · Manual · 75 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 BlueHDi Euro 6, manual gearbox. Exposed to AdBlue system failure.

    Engine: PSA 1.6 HDi / BlueHDi (DV6)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.6 BlueHDi 100

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Manual · 100 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 BlueHDi Euro 6, manual gearbox. Exposed to AdBlue system failure.

    Engine: PSA 1.6 HDi / BlueHDi (DV6)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • GTi 200

    Petrol · Manual · 200 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.6 THP with 200 hp and 275 Nm, manual gearbox.

    Engine: PSA-BMW 1.6 THP / PureTech 180-225 (Prince, EP6)

    Verdict on this engine: Extra caution

  • GTi 208

    Petrol · Manual · 208 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.6 THP raised to 208 hp and 300 Nm (GTi 30th, then GTi by Peugeot Sport), 6-speed manual gearbox; limited-slip differential on the GTi 30th.

    Engine: PSA-BMW 1.6 THP / PureTech 180-225 (Prince, EP6)

    Verdict on this engine: Extra caution

Market prices

€3,500 – €8,200

Indicative range: 2012 to 2019, yearly medians of 150 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Degraded “wet” timing belt (1.2 PureTech)

Severity 3/3 · Serious

The 1.2 engine of the 208 I, in naturally aspirated form (VTi, then PureTech 82) as well as turbo form (PureTech 110), has a timing belt that runs in oil. It can disintegrate: its debris clogs the oil strainer, depriving the engine of lubrication, and can block the brake assistance vacuum pump. The 1.2 PureTech 110s built from March 2013 to April 2017 were recalled (code JZR) for this loss of braking assistance: an engine control unit update and a check of the belt width, with the belt replaced along with the vacuum pump if it does not conform. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions.

Versions
1.2 VTi/PureTech 82, 1.2 e-VTi 82 ETG5, 1.2 PureTech 110, 1.2 PureTech 110 EAT6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can cause engine damage if the level is not monitored. On the 208 I 1.2 PureTech 82, this is the fault most often reported by owners on Fiches-auto, and CarVerif stresses very strict oil monitoring.

Versions
1.2 VTi/PureTech 82, 1.2 e-VTi 82 ETG5, 1.2 PureTech 110, 1.2 PureTech 110 EAT6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Faulty AdBlue system (1.6 BlueHDi)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

On BlueHDi diesels built up to the end of 2022, including the 208s, the AdBlue tank (with integrated pump, sensor or control unit) can fail: a message announces that the car will not start after a certain mileage. UFC-Que Choisir referred the matter to the DGCCRF in 2023 after more than 5,000 testimonies. On a 208 1.6 BlueHDi 100, one owner reports a P20E08 fault (pressure too low) with the AdBlue warning light staying on.

Versions
1.6 BlueHDi 75, 1.6 BlueHDi 100
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Touchscreen that stays black or restarts in a loop

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

Owners of 2012-2013 208s report a touchscreen (SMEG) that stays black at start-up or restarts in a loop, cutting off radio and display. Disconnecting the battery for a few minutes sometimes fixed it temporarily; garages have mentioned replacing the screen.

Versions
1.2 VTi/PureTech 82, 1.2 e-VTi 82 ETG5, 1.2 PureTech 110, 1.2 PureTech 110 EAT6, 1.0 VTi 68, 1.4 HDi 68, 1.6 e-HDi 92, 1.6 e-HDi 115, 1.6 BlueHDi 75, 1.6 BlueHDi 100, GTi 200, GTi 208
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Excessive crankshaft end-float (early 1.2 VTi 82)

Manufacturer recall

Some 2013 208 1.2 VTi 82s were recalled to the workshop to check the crankshaft end-float, which owners attribute to a machining fault. Too much end-float can eventually break the engine: one owner reports a replacement engine block supplied by Peugeot at €4,900 excluding VAT.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.2 VTi/PureTech 82, 1.2 e-VTi 82 ETG5
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Peugeot 208”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€103
Insurance€72
Maintenance€38
Depreciation€56
Total per month€269

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
  • Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (diesel)€103

1.6 e-HDi 92 version: combined consumption of 3.8 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

3.8 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €103

Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€72

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€38

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€56

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Insist on service invoices: oil changes at the correct interval with the recommended oil, and belt checks (PureTech).
  • Check the oil level when cold and ask whether topping up is needed between oil changes.
  • Ask a Peugeot dealer, using the serial number, which recalls have been carried out and whether the car is eligible for warranty extensions.
  • 2013 1.2 VTi 82: check at a dealer that the crankshaft end-float inspection campaign has been carried out.
  • BlueHDi diesel: check there is no AdBlue or emissions warning light or message.
  • Switch the touchscreen on several times and test the radio, Bluetooth and reversing camera or parking sensors.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Do you have all the service invoices, with the oil references used?
  • Has the timing belt been checked or replaced, and have the recalls been carried out?
  • Does the car use oil between oil changes?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: MoCars, CC0

Peugeot 208

II · since 2019

Buy with care
Price
€8,900 – €18,000
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Renault Clio

V · since 2019

Good choice
Price
€10,994 – €14,990
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Polo

VI · since 2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€10,000 – €20,300
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Cutlass, CC0

Citroën C3

III · 2016–2024

Extra caution
Price
€5,200 – €11,300
Reliability
2.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Peugeot 208 I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Euro NCAP rating for the Peugeot 208 I?

5 stars in 2012, with 88% for adult protection, 78% for children, 61% for pedestrians and 83% for safety assist.

Which engine should I choose on a used 208 I?

The 1.2 petrol, naturally aspirated (82 hp) or turbo (PureTech 110), has a wet timing belt and can consume oil: it needs impeccable servicing. The 1.6 diesels do not have this fault, but in BlueHDi form the AdBlue system can fail. For the 1.6 BlueHDi, CarVerif asks for emissions, EGR and injection to be checked before purchase.

What is the boot capacity of the 208 I?

285 litres, and up to 1,076 litres with the rear seats folded, according to AutoScout24.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Peugeot 208 listing: price, mileage, watch points.

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