2023 Peugeot 208 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Peugeot 208 first registered in 2023 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 718 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2023 Peugeot 208 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2023 Peugeot 208 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres7% 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.
- Lights and electrics3% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes3% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors2% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension1% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.
Known faults on the 2023 Peugeot 208 petrol
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.
- 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol
Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)
The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.
At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.
Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)
- 1.2 PureTech petrol
Fuel pump and cutting out (1.2 PureTech)
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.
- All engines
Power steering faults
The electric power steering can play up.
At the viewing: Check the steering is light and even, with no noises.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Peugeot 208 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
- Has the fuel pump or ignition coil been replaced?
- Has the steering had any work?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Peugeot 208?
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Other years
Every year of the Peugeot 208 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 18,021 | Tyres 23% |
| 2021 | 29,015 | Tyres 25% |
| 2020 | 39,222 | Tyres 26% |
| 2019 | 50,430 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 45,179 | Tyres 31% |
| 2017 | 52,183 | Tyres 30% |
| 2016 | 76,412 | Tyres 30% |
| 2015 | 81,378 | Tyres 30% |
| 2014 | 85,336 | Tyres 32% |
| 2013 | 96,916 | Tyres 33% |
| 2012 | 42,121 | Tyres 33% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Peugeot 208 cars first registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score