Used car guide

2020 Peugeot 208: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Peugeot 208s, from 11,282 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,282MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,200typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Peugeot 208s than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake discs1.9× usual
    Peugeot 208
    16.9% All 2020 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Wipers2.6× usual
    Peugeot 208
    7.5% All 2020 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 1.8% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Link ball joint covers39× usual
    Peugeot 208
    3.9% All 2020 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Braking performance2.4× usual
    Peugeot 208
    2.2% All 2020 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

By area

The share of 2020 Peugeot 208 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    20% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    9% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Fuel pump and cutting out (1.2 PureTech)
    1.2 PureTech petrol

    The fuel pump can fail or clog, and some cars cut out on the move from ignition coil or fuel faults.

    At the viewing: Listen for a whining pump and watch for hesitation on the test drive.

    Source: RAC: Peugeot 208 2019-2023 review

  • Blocked DPF (1.5 BlueHDi)
    1.5 diesel

    Town driving can block the diesel particulate filter.

    At the viewing: Look for DPF warnings and smoke.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: RAC: Peugeot 208 2019-2023 review

  • Power steering faults
    All engines

    The electric power steering can play up.

    At the viewing: Check the steering is light and even, with no noises.

    Source: RAC: Peugeot 208 2019-2023 review

Looking at a Peugeot 208?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023691Tyres 9%
202214,928Tyres 24%
202113,615Tyres 27%
201917,014Tyres 32%
201815,211Tyres 30%
201717,460Tyres 30%
201625,458Tyres 30%
201526,849Tyres 31%
201427,926Tyres 32%
201331,125Tyres 33%
201213,371Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Peugeot 208s registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score