Peugeot 208 for Sale - Import from Japan

The 208 replaced the 207 and arrived in Japan in right hand drive. The two generations look and feel quite different.

• First generation, A9 (2012 to 2019): a compact five door hatchback with a small steering wheel, a high set instrument panel and a light feel. Japanese listings show codes such as A9HM01 and A9CHM01. Our cheapest examples are a 2015 Premium at ¥240,000 FOB and a 2014 Allure at ¥250,000 FOB.
• Second generation, P21 (2019 onward): a new platform, a 3D digital instrument display and a sharper design. Recent cars in our sample carry P21HN09 and P24HN09 codes and the GT Hybrid grade.

Both generations are small enough for city streets and economical to run. If you want a slightly larger car from the same maker, look at the Peugeot 308, or consider the 208 based crossover, the Peugeot 2008.

Japanese market 208s are sold in a short list of grades, and the sheet usually names the grade clearly.

• Active, Style, Allure and Premium: the first generation ladder. Active is the basic car and Allure and Premium add equipment. Allure and Premium are the grades in our cheapest sample.
• GTi: a sporty first generation 208 with a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, which appears only occasionally. Ask for photos and the sheet if one turns up.
• GT Hybrid: the recent P21 grade, which pairs a 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine with a 48 volt mild hybrid system and an automatic gearbox. It is the grade you will see on every newest example in our sample.

For a first car, a first generation Allure is cheap, light and easy to maintain. For an almost new car with modern safety equipment, the GT Hybrid is the sensible buy, and its price is the price of a nearly new car, not of a used one. If an electric 208 appeals, ask us for a battery health check before bidding.

Japanese 208s are often low mileage and dealer serviced. Still, check these points.

• Engine oil and belt service: the small turbocharged and naturally aspirated 1.2 litre petrol engines used in later 208s have a timing belt that runs in oil, so ask for proof of regular oil changes and any belt service.
• Gearbox: test for judder or delay, and read any remark on the sheet about shifting. The gearbox type varies by year, so check it before bidding.
• Suspension and tyres: look for worn bushes, uneven tyre wear and any suspension noise.
• Interior and screen: check the touchscreen, air conditioning and window switches on the photos.
• Body: look for scrapes on the bumpers and lower edges, which are common on small city cars.
• Mild hybrid cars: ask for the service record, as the 48 volt system benefits from regular checks.

Our guide to reading Japanese car auction sheets shows how to weigh the overall grade, the repair diagram and the interior grade when the car is a small hatchback like the 208.

Here is a sample of the 208s in our stock in November 2026, priced FOB Japan. Prices change with year and grade.

• 2014 208 Allure (A9CHM01): about ¥250,000 FOB.
• 2015 208 Premium (A9HM01): about ¥240,000 FOB.
• 2025 GT Hybrid: about ¥3,490,000 to ¥3,499,000 FOB.
• 2026 GT Hybrid: about ¥3,100,000 to ¥3,810,000 FOB.

There is a big gap between first generation cars and the recent GT Hybrid, because the newest ones are almost new. The older cars are cheap enough that shipping becomes a large part of the total, so compare landed cost before you decide. For the full list of extra charges, read how much it costs to import a car from Japan.

The 208 is newer than most import eligibility cut offs, so the market you live in decides everything. Always check current rules.

• USA: the 25 year rule does not cover the 208. The first car was built in 2012, so the earliest qualify in 2037. The 208 was not sold new in the US.
• Canada: the 15 year rule means vehicles built in 2011 or earlier qualify in late 2026, so no 208 yet. First generation cars become eligible from 2027 onward, subject to the build date.
• UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and other right hand drive markets: these markets are where Japanese 208s find most of their buyers. They arrive in right hand drive, with low mileage, so conversion is not needed. Check age limits, emissions rules and any compliance tests in your country.

Our top 10 vehicles to import to the UK gives a UK-focused view on what to buy.

A supermini is the easiest car to ship, but buy carefully. Here is the process we follow for a 208.

Choose generation and grade. Decide between a low cost A9 hatchback and a recent GT Hybrid, and set a landed budget that includes freight.

Search stock or auction. Our Peugeot 208 stock lists cars you can ask about now. If you want one colour or grade, we bid for you at the big Japanese auctions, which only licensed dealers can enter and which sit Monday to Saturday. We may ask for a deposit before bidding, and if you lose the lot it remains in your wallet balance. After a win you pay within 3 days.

Inspect. We arrange an inspection with photos on request. Ask for the engine bay, the underbody, the infotainment screen and the odometer.

Ship. RoRo is the cheapest route for one 208. A container becomes worthwhile when you want weather protection for a nearly new GT Hybrid or are shipping several cars at once.

Documents. The export certificate, invoice and bill of lading come from us, and you will need all three for customs and registration. For other European picks, read European cars to import from Japan.