Comparison · small hatchbacks

Nissan Micra vs Peugeot 208: which is more reliable?

The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 433,366 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Micra

97Below average
MOT tests238,364

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

By age

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

Age at testNissan MicraPeugeot 208
3–5 years
101About average
97Below average
6–9 years
96Below average
94Below average
10–14 years
100About average
91Well below average
15+ years
95Below average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan MicraPeugeot 208
202191.2%87.8%
202088.0%81.4%
201983.4%81.4%
201877.2%76.3%
201771.7%73.5%
201675.6%72.6%
201573.9%69.8%
201469.6%64.3%
201366.5%60.6%
201263.0%59.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan MicraPeugeot 208
Lights & electrics26.614.1
Suspension17.85.9
Brakes9.26.6
Body & chassis4.78.2
Tyres6.36.3
Emissions & leaks3.98.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.73.9
Steering1.71.1

Nissan Micra: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%

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 Nissan Micra or the Peugeot 208?

The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Nissan Micra and Peugeot 208 can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Nissan Micra had the higher pass rate in 9 of them and the Peugeot 208 in 1.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. Peugeot 208: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp: not working on dipped beam.