Comparison · small hatchbacks

Peugeot 208 vs Hyundai i20: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 320,392 real MOT tests in 2024.

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

By age

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

Age at testPeugeot 208Hyundai i20
3–5 years
97Below average
101About average
6–9 years
94Below average
105Above average
10–14 years
91Well below average
96Below average
15+ years–
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearPeugeot 208Hyundai i20
202187.8%85.8%
202081.4%89.0%
201981.4%87.8%
201876.3%85.4%
201773.5%83.1%
201672.6%80.7%
201569.8%78.7%
201464.3%69.0%
201360.6%62.0%
201259.0%58.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaPeugeot 208Hyundai i20
Lights & electrics14.114.8
Brakes6.612.0
Suspension5.97.1
Tyres6.35.7
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.97.1
Emissions & leaks8.42.4
Body & chassis8.21.9
Steering1.11.1

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%

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Peugeot 208 or the Hyundai i20?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Peugeot 208 and Hyundai i20 can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Peugeot 208 had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Hyundai i20 in 8.

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. Hyundai i20: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.