Peugeot 208 - Reliability and safety

​The latest Peugeot 208 finished sixth out of 50 models in our best cars to own, which is based on owners' feedback from our most recent 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. Owners liked the looks, ride, and handling of the regular 208, while 10 per cent of respondents commented specifically about the E-208, and they praised the sprightly performance and low noise levels. The only current supermini that beat it was the third-place Toyota Yaris, while key rivals finished far behind, such as the Volkswagen Polo in 41st place, or the Vauxhall Corsa in 48th position.

Meanwhile, the Peugeot brand finished sixth out of 32 brands in the best car manufacturer rankings. Owners complimented how their cars drove and the running costs. They weren’t too keen on the ease of use, or the infotainment system and its phone connectivity.

The previous-generation 208 achieved the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating – albeit under a less stringent testing procedure – but the newest 208 was only awarded a four-star rating. Criticism was noted for poor whiplash protection for rear seat occupants. Meanwhile, the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system fitted as standard to all 208 models doesn’t recognise pedestrians and cyclists that well at night, and only top-of-the-range GT models get an upgraded version that works after dark.

All cars get six airbags, lane keeping assist to help keep you in your lane on the motorway, a speed limit recognition system to (hopefully) keep you from breaking the speed limit, a tyre pressure monitoring system to warn you of possible punctures and a stability control system. As mentioned in the interior section, it’s possible to get a blind spot monitoring system if you add the Parking Pack to Allure models and above to let you know of vehicles alongside you. 

It is a shame that you must pay extra for adaptive cruise control (a system that maintains a safe distance from the car in front of you), which is standard on the MG4.

Warranty

Peugeot’s warranty cover is three years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), and is a typical warranty period for cars in this class. Some rival brands do offer more generous warranty lengths, including Hyundai (five years), Kia (seven years) and Toyota (up to ten years). It’s possible to extend the warranty, but it’ll cost you extra, and can only be organised towards the end of the manufacturer’s warranty period.

It’s much easier to extend the warrant of the electric E-208 with the Allure Care programme. Just like Toyota, you’ll need to get it serviced at a Peugeot main dealer, and then it’ll be extended by two years or 16,000 miles at a time. The battery pack fitted to E-208 models is covered by a separate warranty, meaning that if it drops below 70 per cent capacity within eight years or 100,000 miles, it’ll be replaced free of charge.

Servicing

Peugeot offers flexible service plans for up to five years, with various mileage options. All packages remain at a fixed cost for the duration of the plan and can be paid for either as a one-off sum, or monthly direct debit arrangement. An approved Peugeot service plan can be purchased up to 12 months after the car’s first registration date.

All petrol and mild-hybrid models require servicing every 12 months or 12,500 miles, while the electric versions can stretch this out to every two years or 16,000 miles.