Mat’s Car of the Day: a used Peugeot 408 offers Lambo looks for a tenth of the price

I’m a fan of weird and quirky cars, and if you’re after something a bit different, but still practical enough for daily life, the Peugeot 408 is a great option.

The striking, coupe-esque bodywork is bound to turn heads, and it’s not a case of style over substance either. Here are three things I like about this car, as well as three things I don’t. I’ll also explain why a used Peugeot 408 may make the most financial sense.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Three cool things about the Peugeot 408

1. The interior

When I was starting out as a motoring journalist over 20 years ago, Peugeot’s interiors were a bit naff. These days though, they’re some of the best and the 408 is a great example. Material quality is up there with posh German cars, and I reckon it even feels more premium than a BMW X3.

It also looks fantastic with its multi-layered dashboard and funky fabrics, and I even like the small steering wheel. That said, it won’t suit everyone so make sure you try before you buy.

2. The infotainment system

I’m not usually a fan of touchscreen-based climate controls, but Peugeot has come up with a really cool solution in the 408. There’s a separate panel below the screen with customisable panels, and you can set these to select a specific temperature setting.

The infotainment system is also highly customisable, just like your smartphone. You can choose exactly what you want on the home screen and those shortcut tiles, making it super easy to use once you’ve set it up.

3. It’s surprisingly practical

You’d think a swoopy sloping roofline would hamper the 408’s practicality, but that’s not entirely true. Okay, rear headroom isn’t as good as it is in a more traditional SUV like the Kia Sportage, but legroom is excellent for adults.

The 536-litre boot is also impressive, beating the Cupra Formentor by quite some margin. It’s just a shame about the high load lip.

Peugeot 408 used deals: why second hand makes the most sense

A new Peugeot 408 starts from around £30,500, but prices through Carwow start from just over £27,000. After three years and 30,000 miles, it’ll be worth around £11,500 if you trade it in at a dealer in good condition, so you’ll lose £15,500 in depreciation if you get one at the Carwow price.

You could also consider leasing. The best deal I could find on a 408 at the time of writing was £372 per month with an initial payment of £4,754. This is over three years and 30,000 miles, so it’ll cost you just under £17,800 in total.

This is where used deals start to make a lot of sense, because the first owner has already taken the big hit in depreciation. I found this 2025 Peugeot 408 in desirable GT trim. It’s got the nicer alloy wheels, heated half leather seats and a reversing camera, and it’s got less than 10,000 miles on the clock.

It’s up for £19,200, almost £19,000 less than it cost when new. After three years and another 30,000 miles, it’ll still be worth around £10,000 when you trade it in, so you’ll only lose £9,200.

So the total cost of ownership is much less when you buy a used Peugeot 408.

Three annoying things about the Peugeot 408

As cool as the Peugeot 408 is, it’s not perfect. Here are three things which got on my nerves.

1. Rear visibility

That sloping roofline and the narrow windows may look cool, but the view out the back is shocking as a result. It’s like trying to park while looking out of a letterbox, so you’ll be relying heavily on the reversing camera. The lack of rear window wiper makes things even worse in the rain as well.

2. It’s noisy on the motorway

The Peugeot 408 is comfy over bumps and good around corners, but at motorway speeds you do notice quite a lot of wind and road noise. If you’re looking for something which looks cool and is more refined on the motorway, check out a used Volkswagen Arteon.

3. The hybrid loses a lot of boot space

In some ways, the hybrid engine is the one to go for. It’s really smooth and refined, and you’ll get more than 50mpg in the real world. However, the electrical gubbins under the boot floor rob you of luggage space – 65 litres of it, to be precise.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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