• Frugal diesels set class standards
• Even the GTi sips fuel steadily
• Maintenance bills should be low

Superminis are in large part popular because they can typically be run for just a few pence-per-mile, and in this regard the Peugeot 208 is class-leading for a range with no hybrid or electric-only powerplants.

Leading the field with an official claim of 94.2mpg are two diesels, both with stop/start technology: the 1.6 BlueHDi 75 S&S and 1.6 BlueHDi 100 S&S.

That’s not a figure you’re likely to see in the real-world, but something around the 70mpg mark is possible.

Best of the petrols at 67.3mpg is the 1.2 PureTech 82 S&S with the ETG5 automated gearbox – we’d avoid it if you can, and instead go for the sprightlier 1.2 PureTech 110 S&S with a better manual transmission. It still claims 65.7mpg.

The thirstiest? No surprise that both of the GTis is bottom of the pile, although a claimed thirst of 52.3mpg is still impressively low.

Servicing the 208 won’t be a costly affair, nor will replacing consumables such as tyres and brake pads on the majority of the mainstream range.

It’s not much of a surprise to learn that the Peugeot 208s emitting the lowest amount of CO2 are the BlueHDi diesels, all of which dip below 100g/km.

Performing best are the 1.6 BlueHDi 75 and 100 S&S models, rated at 79g/km of CO2.

The lowest-emitting petrol is the 1.2 PureTech 82 ETG5 S&S at 97g/km of CO2, with the GTi versions being the worst offenders at a still reasonable 125g/km.

• 208’s record suggest Peugeot’s yet to sort out quality
• A dozed recalls so far since the 208’s 2012 launch
• All necessary work should have been undertaken by now

However you dress it up, a dozen recalls sanctioned by the DVSA since the launch of the Peugeot 208 back in 2012, is not indicative of a car with a good reliability record.

Peugeot has made improvements in this regard, but clearly it still has a long way to go.

Over half of the recalls were in the first two years of production, but four in 2016 suggests there are still issues nailing quality down at the French manufacturer.

Issues have included the bonnet failing to latch, the tailgate not remaining open, problems with the stability software, oil and fuel leaks, and braking problems.

More positively, any remedial work should by now have been undertaken by a Peugeot dealer, but if you’re buying a used 208 it will be worth checking before you part with any cash.