Peugeot 208
Updated THP with 156 hp — slightly higher output than the EP6DT (150 hp). Same weaknesses as EP6DT (timing chain, carbon build-up), but marginally higher turbo stress.
Light on its feet and full of life
In the lighter 208 bodyshell the THP 156 really comes into its own. The short gearbox, direct steering and low kerb weight make the 208 THP a genuine fun car on country roads. Noticeably more alive than the heavier 308.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The hydraulic chain tensioner jams or fails; the chain stretches from around 70,000–90,000 km. Rattling on cold start that briefly subsides after warm-up. Continued operation risks catastrophic engine damage from incorrect valve timing.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start at around 2,000–3,000 rpm, disappears after warm-up. In advanced stage: rattling on every cold start, engine management light
Design weakness of the HP pump: excessive pressure against the shaft seal leads to premature wear. Fault code P0087 (rail pressure too low) is the typical result. PSA acknowledged the problem and offered goodwill coverage up to 150,000 km / 7 years.
Symptoms: Stumbling on cold start, fault P0087 (rail pressure too low), rail pressure 6–7 bar instead of 50 bar, engine runs normally again after restart
Oil feed lines to the turbocharger coke up, especially when oil changes are irregular. Cracks in the exhaust manifold and turbine housing are possible from around 60,000–80,000 km. Turbo damage often follows oil consumption issues or overdue service intervals.
Symptoms: Whistling noise from engine bay, blue exhaust cloud, severe power loss, oil in the intercooler
Piston rings coke up from deposits and lose their sealing effect. Oil consumption of 1 L/5,000 km is still considered normal by PSA; consumption above 1 L/1,000 km indicates compression problems. Poor oil quality or long oil change intervals are often the cause.
Symptoms: Blue exhaust cloud on cold start or under load, dropping oil level between change intervals, smoke when revving
Direct petrol injection prevents the fuel from washing the intake valves clean. Deposits build up particularly during short-trip use from around 50,000–60,000 km. The engine can lose up to 20% of its power. Intake ports and valve seat faces are additionally affected.
Symptoms: Power loss, rough idle, increased fuel consumption, occasional stumbling under load
The thermostat and water pump (aluminium housing) are wear items with limited service life on the EP6CDT. Recommended replacement interval: thermostat around 50,000 km, water pump around 70,000 km. Failure leads to overheating and consequential damage.
Symptoms: Fluctuating operating temperature, heater intermittently blows cold, coolant loss without visible external leak, overheating gauge
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.
