Comparison · small hatchbacks

Renault Clio vs Peugeot 208: which is more reliable?

The Peugeot 208 does better at the MOT, with a score of 94 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 511,851 real MOT tests in 2024.

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

By age

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

Age at testRenault ClioPeugeot 208
3–5 years
95Below average
97Below average
6–9 years
83Well below average
94Below average
10–14 years
78Well below average
91Well below average
15+ years
83Well below average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearRenault ClioPeugeot 208
202187.0%87.8%
202084.2%81.4%
201977.0%81.4%
201874.0%76.3%
201768.7%73.5%
201660.7%72.6%
201557.7%69.8%
201454.7%64.3%
201355.8%60.6%
201247.6%59.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaRenault ClioPeugeot 208
Lights & electrics28.114.1
Suspension23.55.9
Brakes15.96.6
Tyres9.26.3
Body & chassis5.98.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.53.9
Emissions & leaks3.88.4
Steering6.51.1

Renault Clio: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

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 Renault Clio or the Peugeot 208?

The Peugeot 208 does better at the MOT, with a score of 94 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 can be compared?

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

What fails most on each?

Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. Peugeot 208: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp: not working on dipped beam.