Peugeot 208
Most widespread PSA diesel. Went through many evolution stages from Euro 4 to Euro 6. Economical and long-lived with regular servicing. Prone to DPF issues in short-trip operation.
Light and economical
92 hp in the light 208 works well. The car feels more sprightly than the numbers suggest.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The 1.6 HDi is notorious for repeated turbocharger failures. Soot particles in the oil alter viscosity, oil lines coke up and the turbocharger runs dry. A second failure after replacement without addressing the root cause is common.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbocharger, severe power loss, blue or black exhaust smoke, oil leaking from turbo, engine enters limp mode
The copper sealing rings on the injectors wear out, allowing combustion gases and diesel to enter the cylinder head. Oil dilution by diesel can lead to engine damage. Affects all 1.6 HDi variants.
Symptoms: Diesel smell at the dipstick, rising oil level, black deposits around injectors, rough engine running, hissing noises at the cylinder head with engine running
The plastic impeller on the water pump breaks away early and can damage the timing belt or cause engine failure. Engine damage documented from as low as 70,000–88,000 km. Always replace the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.
Symptoms: Engine overheating, timing belt snaps without warning, fan noise, coolant loss
During short-trip use DPF regeneration fails regularly. Deposits in the EGR and throttle body additionally prevent correct regeneration. From 160,000 km complete replacement is frequently needed.
Symptoms: Warning 'particulate filter filling up', noticeable power loss, increased fuel consumption, engine judders under acceleration, limp mode
Leaks around the injector sealing area let exhaust gases into the cylinder head. A gel-like oil residue forms in the head chambers (especially pre-2006 build). Professional cleaning takes around 10 labour hours. Turbo damage threatened by oil contamination.
Symptoms: Turbo damage, power loss, black oil paste around injectors, engine oil contamination
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.
