Peugeot 208
PSA entry-level diesel with common rail injection. Economical and reliable, but low on power. Timing chain is maintenance-free.
Lighter, still sluggish
The 208 is lighter than the 207, but 68 hp are still 68 hp. Fine in town, but every hill becomes a challenge.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The injectors on the DV4 can seize in the injector bore due to carbon deposits and corrosion, making them impossible to remove without destruction. Forced removal risks damage to the cylinder head.
Symptoms: Increased fuel consumption, rough idle, black or white smoke from exhaust, engine management light, power loss under acceleration
The EGR valve on the DV4 soots up heavily from carbon deposits, particularly during frequent short-trip use. Adaptation after replacement requires PSA diagnostic software (PP2000).
Symptoms: Engine warning light, noticeable power loss, rough engine under part load, elevated emissions, rough idle, fault codes P0409/P0490/P1459
The DPF on the DV4 blocks up during predominantly short-trip use because exhaust temperatures for regeneration are never reached. Ash accumulates and can permanently clog the filter.
Symptoms: DPF blocked warning on instrument cluster, significant power loss, increased fuel consumption, engine enters limp mode, exhaust smell inside the car
Defective thermostat won't open correctly: engine stays below operating temperature in city traffic or overheats. The cooling fan relay/thermostat can also fail. Repair cost 80–250 € including parts.
Symptoms: Temperature gauge fluctuates wildly, engine overheats in city/stationary, cooling fan cycles intermittently
The injector copper seal fails: exhaust gases escape from the combustion chamber, a sticky black deposit forms around the injector. Carbon deposits in the cylinder head are dangerous for the turbo. Repair cost approx. 450–900 €.
Symptoms: Sticky black soot deposit visible around injectors, burnt oil smell, occasional warm-start failure
The oil feed gallery sits too close to the outer edge: the head gasket tends to leak on the timing side. Symptoms similar to the TU engine. Worth addressing during a timing belt change.
Symptoms: Oil film on the front timing side, slight oil loss, oil smell from the engine bay
Vehicle Weaknesses 9
Peugeot recalled 208 models from model years 2013 to 2017 due to possible timing belt issues. However, often only visual inspections and software updates were carried out. Before buying, always check whether the timing belt has already been replaced.
The rear silencer is poorly or not at all rust-protected and corrodes surprisingly quickly, especially with short-trip use. Flex pipes also break frequently. The TÜV/MOT defect rate is significantly above average.
The AC condenser is damaged by stone chips or no longer seals at the connections. The AC system loses refrigerant and stops cooling. Replacement is labour-intensive.
The LED rear lights on early 2012 and 2013 build years fail above-average frequently. Individual LED segments go dark, which is flagged at TÜV/MOT. Lighting is generally a weak point on the 208 I according to TÜV reports.
The centre console touchscreen becomes unresponsive or freezes. GPS navigation fails completely. On models from 2014 the problem was largely resolved. A software update can help in some cases.
Brake discs and pads wear faster than on comparable vehicles. The front discs in particular show early wear. TÜV/MOT inspectors flag the brakes regularly.
The blower resistor (control module in the passenger footwell) fails frequently, leaving the ventilation working only on setting 4 or not at all. Replacement is straightforward but irritating.
The front strut top mounts wear relatively early on older A9 models and cause creaking or squeaking when steering. Genuine Peugeot parts last significantly longer than aftermarket items.
The heating mat on Peugeot models is fully integrated into the seat's PU foam, making repairs laborious and expensive. Often only one zone (seat cushion or backrest) fails.
