Comparison · small hatchbacks

Ford Fiesta vs Peugeot 208: which is more reliable?

The Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208 are very close at the MOT: scores of 94 and 94. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 1,555,579 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Fiesta

94Below average
MOT tests1,360,577

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FiestaPeugeot 208
3–5 years
100About average
97Below average
6–9 years
94Below average
94Below average
10–14 years
93Below average
91Well below average
15+ years
94Below average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FiestaPeugeot 208
202186.6%87.8%
202086.7%81.4%
201985.8%81.4%
201884.1%76.3%
201776.4%73.5%
201668.7%72.6%
201567.3%69.8%
201464.7%64.3%
201361.9%60.6%
201258.8%59.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FiestaPeugeot 208
Lights & electrics22.114.1
Suspension15.35.9
Tyres9.06.3
Brakes7.76.6
Emissions & leaks5.28.4
Body & chassis3.98.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.23.9
Steering3.91.1

Ford Fiesta: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.8%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.8%

Peugeot 208: top failures

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
  6. Exhaust system: system insecure1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Fiesta or the Peugeot 208?

The Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208 are very close at the MOT: scores of 94 and 94. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208 can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Ford Fiesta had the higher pass rate in 6 of them and the Peugeot 208 in 4.

What fails most on each?

Ford Fiesta: stop lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Peugeot 208: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp: not working on dipped beam.