Volkswagen Polo vs Peugeot 208
Figures updated
The Volkswagen Polo and Peugeot 208 are two of the UK's most popular superminis. We compare the Polo Mk6 (2017–) and the Mk2 (2019–) 208 on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 803,253 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Volkswagen Polo for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Peugeot 208 for the lower price and lower fuel costs.
- The Peugeot 208 is the cheapest to buy new: from £20,565, £1,745 less than the Volkswagen Polo.
- Their boots are much the same size: Volkswagen Polo 351 litres, Peugeot 208 352 litres.
- Euro NCAP safety: Volkswagen Polo 5 stars (2017), Peugeot 208 4 stars (2019). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Volkswagen Polo has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Peugeot 208 fails its MOT about 12% more often.
- The Peugeot 208 is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £81 a year less than the Volkswagen Polo at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the steering on a Volkswagen Polo: it fails on them 1.6 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the body and structure on a Peugeot 208: it fails on them 4.1 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Volkswagen PoloPolo Mk6 (2017–), 5-door hatchback | Peugeot 208Mk2 (2019–), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £22,310 to £28,920October 2026 price list | £20,565 to £29,815October 2026 price list (best) |
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 351 litres | 352 litres / 1,163 |
| Length | 4,074mm | 4,055mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,751mm | 1,765mm |
| Height | 1,451mm | 1,430mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 80–207 PS (best) | 100–156 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.5–15.5 sec (best) | 8.1–10.1 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2017) | ★★★★★ (2019) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | Diesel, Electric, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 43.5–76.3 mpg | 4.3–73.6 mpg |
| CO2 | 97–148 g/km | 96–132 g/km |
| Electric range | – | 206–258 miles |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.4p a litre, today's UK average | £1,096 (53.3 mpg) | £1,015 (57.6 mpg) (best) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £910 (74.3 mpg) (best) | £945 (71.6 mpg) |
| Electric, charged at home26.3p per kWh standard tariff | – | £548 (4 mi/kWh) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £910 (diesel) | £548 (electric) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200 | £200 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 87Below average (best) | 78Well below average |
| 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 | 2017 on | 2019 on |
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 the Volkswagen Polo or the Peugeot 208 more reliable?
The Volkswagen Polo. Like for like on age and mileage, the Peugeot 208 fails its MOT about 12% more often (reliability scores 87 and 78, where 100 is average). 32.9% of Volkswagen Polos and 29.4% of Peugeot 208s failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Volkswagen Polo or the Peugeot 208?
They're almost the same length (4,074mm and 4,055mm). Their boots are much the same: 351 and 352 litres.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the Volkswagen Polo or the Peugeot 208?
The Peugeot 208: new prices start at £20,565, £1,745 less than the Volkswagen Polo (from £22,310). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Volkswagen Polo or the Peugeot 208?
Comparing petrol versions, the Peugeot 208 costs about £81 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,015 against £1,096), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Volkswagen Polo or the Peugeot 208?
Euro NCAP gave the Volkswagen Polo 5 stars (2017) and the Peugeot 208 4 stars (2019). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Volkswagen Polo or the Peugeot 208?
Pick the Volkswagen Polo for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Peugeot 208 for the lower price and lower fuel costs. 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.