Used Vauxhall Corsa E (2014–19) vs Peugeot 208 Mk1 (2012–19)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Vauxhall Corsa E (2014–2019) and Peugeot 208 Mk1 (2012–2019), 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 the better MOT record; the Vauxhall Corsa E is close on everything else.
- Euro NCAP safety: Vauxhall Corsa E 4 stars (2014), Peugeot 208 Mk1 5 stars (2012). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Peugeot 208 Mk1 has the better MOT record for its 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), while the Vauxhall Corsa E fails its MOT 29% more often than average for its age (31% of Vauxhall Corsas built 2014–2019 failed first time in 2024, against 24% of all cars that age).
- Watch the steering on a Vauxhall Corsa E: it fails on them 2.4 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the body and structure on a Peugeot 208 Mk1: it fails on them 4.1 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Vauxhall Corsa ECorsa E (2014–2019), 5-door hatchback | Peugeot 208 Mk1Mk1 (2012–2019), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | – | 285 litres |
| Length | 4,021mm | 3,973mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | – | 1,739mm |
| Height | – | 1,460mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | – | 68–208 PS |
| 0–62mph | – | 6.5–17.9 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2014) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | – | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | – | – |
| CO2 | – | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | – | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | – | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 80Well below average | 78Well below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 31.2% (24.2%)built 2014–2019 | 31.7% (26.6%)built 2012–2019 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 35.3% | 29.4% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 15.4% | 14.1% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.7% (best) | 20.3% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 41.5% | 37.3% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (5.2% of tests) | Joints (4.4% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (2.4×), Exhaust and emissions (1.7×) | Body and structure (4.1×), Exhaust and emissions (3.1×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 896,932 | 202,735 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,800 | 7,000 |
| On sale | 2014–2019 | 2012–2019 |
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 Vauxhall Corsa E or Peugeot 208 Mk1 more reliable?
The Peugeot 208 Mk1. Compared with all cars the same age, the Peugeot 208 Mk1 fails its MOT 19% more often than average and the Vauxhall Corsa E 29% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 31.7% of Peugeot 208s built 2012–2019 failed first time, and 31.2% of Vauxhall Corsas built 2014–2019. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Vauxhall Corsa E or the Peugeot 208 Mk1?
The Vauxhall Corsa E is 48mm longer (4,021mm against 3,973mm).
›Which is safer, the Vauxhall Corsa E or the Peugeot 208 Mk1?
Euro NCAP gave the Vauxhall Corsa E 4 stars (2014) and the Peugeot 208 Mk1 5 stars (2012). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Vauxhall Corsa E or the Peugeot 208 Mk1?
The Peugeot 208 Mk1 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Vauxhall Corsa E 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.