Peugeot 108 review

Overview

The early Peugeot 108 is a small four-seat hatchback designed primarily around town use. Our selected example is a 2015 UK Active five-door with the 998 cc 68 PS petrol engine, conventional five-speed manual and fixed roof. The 1.2 PureTech, 2-Tronic automated manual, folding-roof Top and later power update are outside this scope. RoadMatch's assessment is original research-led synthesis without a first-hand driving claim. This version is appealing when easy parking and straightforward local transport are more valuable than rear-seat breadth or motorway quietness. It should not be treated as a miniature family car with no compromises: four seats, modest acceleration and a small luggage compartment define the purchase as clearly as its compact footprint.

Exterior and interior

The 108's short body is useful in a city parking bay, while its colour and trim choices can make a basic car feel less anonymous. Active is a practical equipment level rather than a luxury proposition. Sit in the actual driver's seat and check the steering adjustment, pedal spacing and access to the screen before assuming its small size guarantees comfort. Examine seat fabric, plastic edges and door seals for damage from repeated short-trip use. The rear windows and door openings should be tried by passengers rather than judged from photographs. Check the glass hatch, rear lamps and luggage carpet for signs of leaks. An attractive personalised exterior does not justify overlooking wet trim or mismatched repair panels.

Practicality

The 108 has four seats, not five, so a household occasionally needing three passengers across the rear must choose something else. Five doors do improve rear access for two occupants or a child seat, but the bench and foot space remain city-car sized. The period guide distinguishes 180 litres of luggage room with a spare wheel from 196 litres with a tyre-repair kit. We use the former because it reflects the early Active specification, while requiring confirmation of the individual floor arrangement. Try grocery bags or a small folded pushchair under the cover. Folding the rear seats helps with bulky items but removes passenger capacity, and the load should still be secured properly.

Driving experience

Independent research supports the 108's easy urban brief more strongly than its long-distance refinement. Our interpretation is that its light, uncomplicated controls and small footprint are most useful on ordinary streets, not as evidence that it rivals a larger hatch on every road. Contemporary assessments also raise questions about clutch action and the ride on faster surfaces, making a proper demonstration important. Repeat slow first-gear and reverse manoeuvres, then drive a familiar rough-road section if permitted. Listen for suspension rattles and note whether tyre noise would become tiring on your commute. A used car that hesitates, pulls or vibrates needs inspection; those symptoms should not be explained away as inevitable small-car character.

Performance

Peugeot's early 1.0 specification quotes 68 PS, approximately 67 mechanical bhp, and 14.3 seconds from zero to 62 mph for the conventional manual. The stop-start and automated versions have their own figures and are not interchangeable with this record. This is deliberately modest output suited to measured progress. Joining a faster road requires planning, especially with all four seats occupied or air-conditioning working hard. Check that the engine pulls evenly when warm and does not produce warning lights or excessive vibration. A three-cylinder engine has a recognisable sound, but irregular running is different from its normal layout. There is no need to seek undocumented tuning; predictable standard performance is the more relevant buying quality.

Fuel economy

We omit an official mpg headline because the early guide's stop-start, non-stop-start and 2-Tronic columns should not be flattened into one universal number. The annual plan uses an explicit assumed 52 mpg, not a road-test result or an owner-data extract. The small petrol engine has a sensible city-use brief, although repeated cold starts and slow traffic can still reduce consumption. Check tyre condition, pressures and servicing rather than expecting the car's size alone to guarantee an inexpensive fuel bill. For very low annual mileage, maintenance and insurance can matter more than a few mpg. Choose a sound individual car whose shape and seating work for you instead of prioritising the most optimistic economy advertisement.

Reliability

Our moderate-confidence score is an editorial judgement of this used-car proposition, not a quantified failure probability. The 1.0 manual avoids some drivetrain complexity, but an old city car can still suffer from neglected servicing, clutch wear and repeated low-speed impacts. Request dated invoices and compare mileage progression with MOT records. Inspect the exhaust and underside as well as the polished bodywork, and investigate any water under the luggage floor. Try starting from cold and repeat the control checks after warming. Where the clutch or gearchange feels inconsistent, obtain an independent diagnosis before agreeing a price. Simplicity makes inspection easier; it does not remove the need for maintenance evidence or a repair reserve.

Safety

The linked Euro NCAP reference is the 2014 Peugeot 108 generation record, not the older 107 or a later unrelated Peugeot. It is supplied as historical context only, without reproduced ratings, scores or artwork. Period manufacturer material lists stability control and airbags, but the presence of a historical assessment is not proof that a particular used car remains correctly repaired. Watch the warning-light sequence, inspect tyres and seatbelts, and check child-seat installation using both manuals. No modern adaptive cruise or comprehensive accident-avoidance package is promised here. Run the registration through GOV.UK's recall service and ask Peugeot to confirm VIN-specific campaign completion. A dealer warranty or valid MOT does not establish that all campaigns have been completed.

Technology and features

The early Active's touchscreen, Bluetooth and Mirror Screen belong to their period. Mirror Screen wording in a 2014 guide is not permission to advertise Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on a 2015 example. None of those modern feature tags is asserted in this record. Pair your own phone and test the functions you actually need rather than relying on a seller's demonstration with an older handset. A reversing camera is conditional and should be shown working if advertised. The speed limiter must not be confused with cruise control. Also check radio reception, USB audio, air-conditioning and both keys. Straightforward technology can be useful, provided compatibility and operation are established before paying an equipment premium.

Running costs

The £3,500–£6,000 purchase band is a RoadMatch editorial planning estimate dated 3 October 2026, not a live valuation. At 8,000 miles, assumed 52 mpg and petrol at £1.50 per litre, fuel is approximately £1,049 using 4.54609 litres per imperial gallon. Adding a rounded £100 tax allowance and £350–£750 for routine servicing, MOT and tyre wear gives roughly £1,500–£1,900 annually. Actual tax must be checked by registration and insurance quoted personally; we reproduce no commercial insurance groups. Finance, depreciation and major repairs are excluded. Small tyres and a modest drivetrain help the budgeting brief, but worn clutch components or unresolved leaks need separate provision rather than being hidden inside the routine cost band.

Advantages and disadvantages