Thinking about buying a used Peugeot 208 (2012–2020) in New Zealand? We've documented 13 known faults for this model spanning engine, electrical, fluid leaks, and brakes. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
13
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$400–$1,500
Typical repair
6
Systems covered
Known Peugeot 208 faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
011.2 PureTech wet timing belt disintegration (non-GTi)
CriticalCommonEngine $1,200–$9,000 to fix
The mainstream 1.0/1.2 PureTech petrol engines run a timing belt in oil that breaks up and blocks the oil ways, starving the engine and often destroying it because it is an interference design. Using the wrong oil or stretching service intervals accelerates it. Note the GTi's 1.6 THP uses a chain instead, so this specific fault applies to the ordinary 1.0/1.2 cars.
Symptoms to notice
Oil-pressure light flicker
Rubber flecks/sludge on the oil cap
Cold rattle or whine
No belt-change history
What to check
Confirm with an invoice that the wet belt has been replaced with correct-spec 5W-30 oil. Check the oil cap and dipstick for rubbery debris. Start cold and watch for a lingering oil-pressure light. Treat a car with no belt history as high risk.
Where to look: Timing belt in oil at the right-hand end of the engine; sump oil pickup
Ask the seller
“Has the wet timing belt been changed, with proof?”
“Correct oil every service?”
“Any oil-pressure warnings?”
023D i-Cockpit dash and touchscreen software glitches
MinorCommonInterior $0–$1,500 to fix
The current 208's 3D digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen (which handles climate) suffer freezes, blank or flickering displays, laggy menus and phone-mirroring dropouts. These are software annoyances rather than mechanical failures, but a frozen screen means no climate adjustment and the digital dash blanking can be disconcerting. Many are cured by updates.
Symptoms to notice
3D dash blanks or flickers
Touchscreen freezes/reboots
CarPlay/Android Auto drops out
Slow climate response through the screen
What to check
Work through the screen, climate and phone mirroring for a few minutes watching for freezes or a blank cluster. Restart to confirm the dash comes up cleanly. Ask if the software has been updated.
Where to look: 3D digital instrument cluster and centre touchscreen
Ask the seller
“Does the digital dash or screen ever blank?”
“Is the software up to date?”
“Does phone mirroring stay connected?”
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
ElectricalMajor
EngineMajor
ElectricalMajor
Fluid LeaksMajor
BrakesMajor
ElectricalMajor
SuspensionMajor
11 more documented faults on the Peugeot 208
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 13 documented faults for the Peugeot 208, the recurring problem areas are engine, electrical, and fluid leaks. A Peugeot 208 with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Peugeot 208?
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We've catalogued 13 known faults for the Peugeot 208, covering engine, electrical, and fluid leaks. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Peugeot 208?
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Most single repairs on the Peugeot 208 fall between $400–$1,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 13 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Peugeot 208?
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Yes. A Peugeot 208 inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.