Used Peugeot 208 Mk1 (2012–19) vs Citroen C3 Mk3 (2016–24)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Peugeot 208 Mk1 (2012–2019) and Citroen C3 Mk3 (2016–2024), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Peugeot 208 Mk1 comes out ahead, with more performance; the Citroen C3 Mk3 is close on everything else.
- Their boots are much the same size: Peugeot 208 Mk1 285 litres, Citroen C3 Mk3 300 litres.
- Euro NCAP safety: Peugeot 208 Mk1 5 stars (2012), Citroen C3 Mk3 4 stars (2017). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- Their MOT records are similar for their age: the Citroen C3 Mk3 fails its MOT 14% more often than average for its age (21% of Citroen C3s built 2016–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 18% of all cars that age); the Peugeot 208 Mk1 fails its MOT 19% more often than average for its age (32% of Peugeot 208s built 2012–2019 failed first time in 2024, against 27% of all cars that age).
- Watch the body and structure on a Peugeot 208 Mk1: it fails on them 4.1 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the body and structure on a Citroen C3 Mk3: it fails on them 2.5 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Peugeot 208 Mk1Mk1 (2012–2019), 5-door hatchback | Citroen C3 Mk3Mk3 (2016–2024), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 285 litres | 300 litres / 922 (best) |
| Length | 3,973mm | 3,996mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,739mm | 1,829mm |
| Height | 1,460mm | 1,474mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 68–208 PS (best) | 68–110 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.5–17.9 sec (best) | 9.3–14.2 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2017) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | – | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | – | 44.6–78.5 mpg |
| CO2 | – | 93–143 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | – | £1,166 (50.2 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £1,008 (67.1 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | – | £1,008 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | – | £20 to £325 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 78Well below average | 79Well below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 31.7% (26.6%)built 2012–2019 | 21.1% (18.4%)built 2016–2021 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 29.4% (best) | 35.3% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 14.1% | 9.4% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 20.3% | 16.8% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 37.3% | 38.0% |
| Most common MOT fault | Joints (4.4% of tests) | Stop lamp (4.5% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Body and structure (4.1×), Exhaust and emissions (3.1×) | Body and structure (2.5×), Steering (1.8×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 202,735 | 196,261 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 7,000 | 6,600 |
| On sale | 2012–2019 | 2016–2024 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Peugeot 208 Mk1 or Citroen C3 Mk3 more reliable?
There's little in it. Compared with all cars the same age, the Citroen C3 Mk3 fails its MOT 14% more often than average and the Peugeot 208 Mk1 19% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 21.1% of Citroen C3s built 2016–2021 failed first time, and 31.7% of Peugeot 208s built 2012–2019. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Peugeot 208 Mk1 or the Citroen C3 Mk3?
The Citroen C3 Mk3 is 23mm longer (3,996mm against 3,973mm). Their boots are much the same: 285 and 300 litres.
›Which is safer, the Peugeot 208 Mk1 or the Citroen C3 Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Peugeot 208 Mk1 5 stars (2012) and the Citroen C3 Mk3 4 stars (2017). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Peugeot 208 Mk1 or the Citroen C3 Mk3?
The Peugeot 208 Mk1 comes out ahead, with more performance; the Citroen C3 Mk3 is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.