Peugeot 208
Compact 1.4L naturally aspirated engine from the Prince family (PSA/BMW). Timing chain instead of belt, economical and reliable.
Fundamentally sound Prince naturally aspirated
The 1.4 VTi with 95–98 hp is a decent entry engine for the 207 and 208. Timing chain instead of toothed belt saves on maintenance costs; the engine runs refined. Power is enough for town and A-road use; motorway climbs can get tight. Watch for timing chain stretch.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The Prince engine suffers timing chain stretch from defective tensioners. Rhythmic rattling from the driver's side is a warning sign. A jumped chain risks severe valve damage.
Symptoms: Rattling/clattering on cold start, rhythmic knocking at idle, power loss, engine management light
The 1.4 VTi tends towards increased oil consumption from cylinder bore wear. In advanced cases this leads to catalytic converter destruction from oil combustion.
Symptoms: Rising oil consumption, bluish smoke, exhaust smell, elevated emissions at MoT/TÜV
The solenoid valves for variable cam timing (VVT) fail or get blocked by oil residue. Fault code P0013 or P0014 is stored. The exhaust solenoid is most frequently affected and costs under 50 Euro.
Symptoms: Engine fault warning, misfires particularly on cold start, power loss going uphill, engine briefly runs on three cylinders after start
The ignition coils on the Prince engine have a high failure rate. Power loss, juddering and the engine management light follow. Replacement is inexpensive but should be done promptly.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine juddering, engine management light, rough running
The thermostat housing on the right side of the engine (black unit) shows cracks and leaks. Coolant loss collects in the cooling fins — no visible puddle under the car. Typical VTi-120 weak point.
Symptoms: Coolant drops slowly, smell of hot coolant, no puddle visible
TU/EP engines with cable clutch show increased wear in city use. A clutch kit at 100,000–120,000 km is often due. Check the clutch cable at the same time.
Symptoms: Clutch engages late, slips, pedal returns slowly, slip when accelerating
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.
