Photo: MoCars, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
A pleasant city car, but both of its petrol and diesel engines have serious, recognised faults: timing belt and oil consumption on the 1.2 PureTech, timing chain on the 1.5 BlueHDi. Only buy with complete, invoiced servicing, after checking the recalls and the warranty extensions.
- Reliability
- 3.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €8,900 – €18,000
- Monthly cost
- €379
- Euro NCAP
- 4/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: PureTech 100.
PureTech 75
Petrol · Manual · 75 hp · Crit'Air 1
1.2 PureTech engine with 75 hp, manual gearbox. Affected by the PureTech belt faults.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 100
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 100 hp · 5.3 L/100 km · 118 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.2 PureTech turbo engine. Prefer a car built after June 2022 (new-generation belt) and properly serviced.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 100 EAT8
Petrol · Automatic · 100 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same engine with 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 130 EAT8
Petrol · Automatic · 130 hp · Crit'Air 1
Most powerful petrol version, 8-speed automatic gearbox, 230 Nm.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
BlueHDi 100
Diesel · Manual · 100 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.5 diesel with 250 Nm, affected by premature timing chain wear.
Engine: Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first
Market prices
€8,900 – €18,000
Indicative range: 2019 to 2026, yearly medians of 969 online listings collected by iAutos (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 · SeriousOn the 1.2 PureTech, the timing belt runs in oil and can disintegrate. Its debris clogs the oil strainer, causing oil pressure to drop, which can destroy the engine. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions, and introduced a new-generation belt in June 2022.
- Versions
- PureTech 75, PureTech 100, PureTech 100 EAT8, PureTech 130 EAT8
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyBesides belt wear, the 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can cause engine damage if the level is not monitored. According to Caradisiac, engines built from 2023 onwards are no longer affected.
- Versions
- PureTech 75, PureTech 100, PureTech 100 EAT8, PureTech 130 EAT8
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Premature wear of the timing chain (1.5 BlueHDi)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn the 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5), the timing chain can stretch prematurely because of oil carbonisation; the first sign is a rattle on cold start. A break can damage the engine. Vehicles built between 6 December 2017 and 31 January 2023 are subject to a recall.
- Versions
- BlueHDi 100
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
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
| Fuel or electricity | €130 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €87 |
| Maintenance | €33 |
| Depreciation | €129 |
| Total per month | €379 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- 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 (petrol)€130
PureTech 100 version: combined consumption of 5.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €130
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€87
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€33
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€129
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Peugeot 208 II — 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.
- BlueHDi: listen to the cold start; a rattle can indicate a slack chain.
- Check the build date: a new-generation belt is fitted to PureTech engines built after June 2022.
- Test the electrical equipment: lights, wipers, locking, parking assistance.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do you have all the service invoices, with the oil references used?
- Has the timing belt (or the chain on the diesel) been checked or replaced?
- Does the car use oil between oil changes?
- Have the manufacturer's recalls been carried out?
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.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
Peugeot e-208 II
- Observed prices
- €14,390 – €24,490
- Monthly cost (12,000 km/year)
- €287 versus €379
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Clio
V · since 2019
- Price
- €10,994 – €14,990
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Yaris
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €15,900 – €22,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: crash71100, CC0
Dacia Sandero
III · since 2020
- Price
- €10,500 – €15,600
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Cutlass, CC0
Citroën C3
III · 2016–2024
- Price
- €5,200 – €11,300
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Polo
VI · since 2017
- Price
- €10,000 – €20,300
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- 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 II (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
Should I avoid the 1.2 PureTech in the Peugeot 208?
Not necessarily, but you need a car with impeccable servicing: its timing belt and oil consumption can lead to engine failure. Recent engines (belt revised in 2022, oil consumption corrected in 2023) are less exposed, and the belt warranty has been extended to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to conditions.
What is the Euro NCAP rating for the 208 II?
4 stars in 2019: very good occupant protection, but pedestrian and cyclist protection judged insufficient.
What is the boot capacity of the 208 II?
265 litres, up to 1,035 litres with the rear seats folded.
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