Used Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–17) vs Peugeot 208 Mk1 (2012–19)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–2017) 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Peugeot 208 Mk1 is close on everything else.
- Their boots are much the same size: Volkswagen Polo Mk5 280 litres, Peugeot 208 Mk1 285 litres.
- The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 has the better MOT record for its age: the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more often than average for its age (34% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 32% of all cars that age), while 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 steering on a Volkswagen Polo Mk5: it fails on them 1.6 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 | Volkswagen Polo Mk5Mk5 (2009–2017), 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 | 280 litres / 952 | 285 litres |
| Length | 3,970mm | 3,973mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,682mm | 1,739mm |
| Height | 1,462mm | 1,460mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 60–192 PS | 68–208 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 6.7–16.1 sec | 6.5–17.9 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2009) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 47.1–76.3 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 97–140 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.8p a litre, today's UK average | £995 (58.9 mpg) | – |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £910 (74.3 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £910 (diesel) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £410 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 87Below average (best) | 78Well below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 34.2% (31.9%)built 2009–2017 (best) | 31.7% (26.6%)built 2012–2019 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 32.9% | 29.4% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 11.8% (best) | 14.1% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.9% | 20.3% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 34.3% (best) | 37.3% |
| Most common MOT fault | Pins and bushes (3.1% of tests) | Joints (4.4% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (1.6×), Body and structure (1.5×) | Body and structure (4.1×), Exhaust and emissions (3.1×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 600,518 | 202,735 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,700 | 7,000 |
| On sale | 2009–2017 | 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or Peugeot 208 Mk1 more reliable?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5. Compared with all cars the same age, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% 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: 34.2% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Peugeot 208 Mk1?
They're almost the same length (3,970mm and 3,973mm). Their boots are much the same: 280 and 285 litres.
›Which is safer, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Peugeot 208 Mk1?
Euro NCAP gave the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009) 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Peugeot 208 Mk1?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Peugeot 208 Mk1 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.