2014 Peugeot 208 1.2L Petrol · RE63 UPB

The 1.2-litre petrol Peugeot 208 typically returns 50-55 mpg in mixed driving, giving fuel costs of roughly £1,200-£1,500 per year for average users. Road tax for this pre-April 2017 vehicle falls in the £30-£165 band depending on exact CO2 figures, while insurance sits in group 8-12, attracting premiums of approximately £450-£650 annually for standard drivers. Routine maintenance including annual servicing, brake fluid, and tyres typically runs £250-£400 per year for a car of this age. Including an MOT fee and allowing for occasional repairs, expect annual running costs of around £1,800-£2,200, though the recent MOT failure items could push this higher in the first year of ownership.

The December 2025 MOT failure flagged several items that warrant specific physical inspection. Check that the nearside front headlamp now functions correctly on dipped beam and that the headlamp aim can be properly tested, as a recurring lighting failure would result in another MOT fail. Inspect the front brake pads and discs directly — measure pad thickness and check disc condition, as thin pads on both sides simultaneously suggests they have been left to wear considerably. Examine the front suspension arm ball joint dust cover for splits or tears, and physically check the joint for play by rocking the wheel.

The model-wide top MOT failure reasons are exhaust, drive shaft joint, and tyre issues, so inspect the exhaust system for corrosion particularly around joints and the rear box, and check drive shaft CV joint boots for splits. The minor oil leak should be traced to its source — common culprits on this engine are the rocker cover gasket and the sump plug area. Finally, verify that the previously flagged insecure electrical wiring has been properly secured and check for any aftermarket electrical accessories that may have been poorly installed, which is a common cause of MOT advisories escalating to failures.