The Peugeot 108 (Generation I) is an A-segment city car co-developed by PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota, built alongside its sister cars, the Citroën C1 II and Toyota Aygo II, at the TPCA plant in the Czech Republic. Replacing the aging 107, the 108 introduced a more mature design, better equipment (including a 7-inch touchscreen), and a canvas roof option (108 TOP!). During the 2014–2018 period (pre-Euro 6.2 updates), it was offered with two distinct naturally aspirated 3-cylinder engines: a highly reliable Toyota-sourced 1.0L and a problematic PSA-sourced 1.2L. It is a quintessential urban commuter, prioritizing low running costs and maneuverability over long-distance refinement.
The Peugeot 108 is a tale of two engines. If you buy the 1.0 VTi, you are essentially buying a Toyota in a French suit: it is incredibly reliable, cheap to run, and perfect for city life. However, if you opt for the 1.2 PureTech, you are exposing yourself to severe and expensive engine failures due to the flawed wet timing belt design. The ETG5 automatic gearbox should also be avoided due to its jerky nature. Verdict: Buy the 1.0L Manual without hesitation; strictly avoid the 1.2L.