Toyota-reliable city car wearing a French badge
Built 2014-2022 alongside the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 at Toyota's Czech Republic factory, the 108 shares its excellent 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with Toyota. Prices start from £3,500 for early models with 50,000 miles, rising to £9,000 for newer low-mileage cars. Pre-April 2017 cars are free to tax. Running costs are minimal — 55-65 mpg, insurance group 1-5, and cheap servicing make it ideal for new drivers and city commuters.
We track 5 known issues across the Peugeot 108 range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Peugeot 108? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
MK1 (2014–2022) — Engine options included the 1.0 VTi, 1.0 VTi 68, 1.2 VTi 82, 1.2 PureTech. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Emissions system deterioration (£150–£800 to address).
The 108 shows elevated emissions failures at The small capacity engines run at high specific outputs which places stress on emissions components including lambda sensors, catalytic converters, and EGR systems where fitted.
Emissions failures cause immediate MOT failure and prevent road use until repaired. Lambda sensor replacement is typically straightforward but catalytic converter failure requires expensive replacement that may exceed the vehicle's value on older examples.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The 1.0-litre variants show ESC malfunction indicator lamp failures at This typically indicates wheel speed sensor faults, ESC control unit problems, or wiring issues affecting the electronic stability control system. The fault pattern suggests a design or component reliability issue specific to the 1.0-litre model configuration.
ESC system faults cause immediate MOT failure as the system is mandatory safety equipment. The vehicle loses stability assistance during emergency manoeuvres. Repair typically requires diagnostic scanning to identify the specific failed component - wheel speed sensors, control unit, or wiring harness.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
The 108 shows unusually high rates of suspension bush and joint wear, particularly on the front lower control arms and anti-roll bar drop links. MOT data shows this model fails at 111.4 times the national fleet average for suspension component wear, with failures appearing as early as 20,000 miles. The lightweight construction and small wheel size may contribute to higher stress loads on suspension components. This is the most statistically significant fault pattern for this model.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and potential MOT failure. Replacement typically involves multiple components as bushes rarely fail in isolation. The car remains safe to drive but handling deteriorates progressively.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 108 demonstrates premature exhaust system failure at 36.6 times the national fleet average, with failures occurring unusually early - some within the first 20,000 miles. The exhaust system appears prone to corrosion and mounting point failure, likely due to the small engine bay creating higher operating temperatures and limited airflow around exhaust components.
Exhaust leaks can allow fumes into the cabin and will cause MOT failure. A completely detached exhaust creates a safety hazard and noise nuisance. Full system replacement is often more cost-effective than patching on this model.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The 108 shows significant fluid leak problems at 38.1 times the fleet average, typically appearing after 20,000 miles. MOT data indicates these are serious enough to pose environmental or safety risks, suggesting engine oil, gearbox oil, or brake fluid leaks rather than minor seepage. The compact engine bay may contribute to seal deterioration from heat cycling.
Serious fluid leaks cause MOT failure and can lead to component damage if oil levels drop critically. Brake fluid leaks create a direct safety hazard. Oil leaks onto hot exhaust components present a fire risk and environmental contamination.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Peugeot 108 common problems page.
Based on 368k real DVSA MOT tests, the Peugeot 108 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... at 35x the fleet average, followed by coil springs broken (32x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Peugeot 108 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Peugeot 108 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Peugeot 108 is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. 2017-2020 models are the best pick. The 2018 refresh brought the improved 72 PS 1.0-litre Toyota engine with better refinement. Pre-April 2017 registration gives free road tax. The 1.2 PureTech 82 PS (2014-2018 only) offers more performance if motorway driving is needed but is the PSA engine, not the Toyota unit — slightly less proven. Avoid early 2014 cars where some minor assembly quality issues were reported in the first production run.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Peugeot 108, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Peugeot 108 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.