Comparison · small hatchbacks

Peugeot 208 vs Citroen C3: which is more reliable?

The Peugeot 208 does better at the MOT, with a score of 94 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 385,320 real MOT tests in 2024.

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

Citroen C3

91Well below average
MOT tests190,318

By age

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

Age at testPeugeot 208Citroen C3
3–5 years
97Below average
102About average
6–9 years
94Below average
94Below average
10–14 years
91Well below average
87Well below average
15+ years–
89Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearPeugeot 208Citroen C3
202187.8%90.8%
202081.4%89.1%
201981.4%84.7%
201876.3%79.8%
201773.5%75.0%
201672.6%69.4%
201569.8%66.9%
201464.3%63.9%
201360.6%59.2%
201259.0%54.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaPeugeot 208Citroen C3
Lights & electrics14.124.9
Suspension5.913.4
Body & chassis8.28.6
Brakes6.68.9
Emissions & leaks8.45.4
Tyres6.37.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.95.7
Steering1.13.4

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%

Citroen C3: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working3.6%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working2.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Peugeot 208 or the Citroen C3?

The Peugeot 208 does better at the MOT, with a score of 94 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Peugeot 208 had the higher pass rate in 5 of them and the Citroen C3 in 5.

What fails most on each?

Peugeot 208: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp: not working on dipped beam. Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.