Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs: Intervals, Fitment & Warning Signs

A genuine, real phenomenon on the 1.2 PureTech engine explains knocking under load — plus real, documented confusion over the correct plug part number worth checking carefully.

Illustration for editorial purposes

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OEM Part Number: confirm via engine code — aftermarket NGK 97968 / Bosch 0 242 140 543

Accuracy note: Covers the Peugeot 208 (2012-2019) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Spark plugs are engine-specific — thread size (M12 vs M14), reach, heat range, electrode type (copper, platinum, iridium) and gap all change between engines in the same car, and the catalogue listings below cover every petrol engine in the generation without always saying which plug fits which. Match the plug to your engine code (on the V5C or the engine cover), fit a full set of the same type, and use the maker's gap and torque. Genuine numbers are shown only where a listing quotes one.

Petrol engines in this generation	1.0 68 HP; 1.2 VTi/PureTech 68/82 HP; 1.2 THP 110 HP; 1.4 VTi 95 HP; 1.5 90 HP; 1.6 116/120 HP; 1.6 THP 165 HP; 1.6 GTi 200/208 HP; 1.2 and 1.4 GPL; 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 Flex
Spark plugs (aftermarket)	NGK 97968 (iridium, 5 kOhm suppressor, M12x1.25, 14 mm hex); NGK 91530 (platinum, 5 kOhm suppressor, M12x1.25, 14 mm hex); Bosch 0 242 140 543 (gap 0.75 mm, M12x1.25, 14 mm hex); Bosch 0 242 135 518 (gap 0.7 mm, M12x1.25, 14 mm hex); Bosch 0 242 145 607 (gap 0.8 mm, M12x1.25, 14 mm hex); Denso IXUH22FTT (iridium centre, platinum earth, M12x1.25); Champion OE245 (iridium, gap 0.8 mm, M12x1.25, 14 mm Bi-Hex)
Genuine (OE) numbers quoted	Denso VXUH22I is quoted against A0041592503
Fitment notes	Most references are M12x1.25 iridium or platinum plugs at 0.7-0.9 mm (Bosch, NGK, Champion, Ridex), while M14x1.25 Bosch plugs (0 242 240 593, 0 242 235 912, 0 242 229 797, 0 242 235 666) appear for the larger engines. no change interval is shown.

A Genuine, Real Phenomenon Worth Understanding: LSPI on the 1.2 PureTech — Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs

If your 208 has the 1.2 PureTech engine and you're experiencing a knocking or misfiring sensation specifically under load at low engine speed, it's worth knowing about Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) — a genuine, industry-recognised phenomenon affecting small, turbocharged direct-injection engines generally, not something unique to Peugeot. It occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites prematurely, before the spark plug fires, causing a knock that can potentially damage the engine over time if it happens repeatedly. Genuinely useful to know: LSPI is understood to be exacerbated by certain oil additive packages, and switching to an oil that meets the correct, current specification for this engine — combined with using a higher-octane fuel, which some owners report noticeably reduces the frequency of the knock — are the cheapest, simplest first steps worth trying.

A genuinely confusing, real fitment detail worth checking carefully: there's documented confusion among both parts suppliers and owners about the correct spark plug for this engine — some sources list the ZR5 heat range as the current Bosch-recommended part, while many retailers still show the ZR6 as standard, with owners speculating Bosch may have revised their recommendation at some point without this being consistently reflected across every parts catalogue. Given how sensitive these small turbo engines can be to using the wrong heat-range plug, it's genuinely worth cross-checking your specific engine code against your VIN via a specialist parts lookup rather than assuming the first result from a generic search is correct.

Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs: A Cheap Part That Causes Expensive-Feeling Problems

A worn set of spark plugs in the Peugeot 208 doesn't make itself obvious: idle roughens slightly, acceleration loses a bit of urgency, and both symptoms are easy to blame on something else entirely. Given how inexpensive the part is, it often gets neglected for far longer than it should.

Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: Replacing Coils and Spark Plugs - Peugeot 208 - codes P1337, P1340

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Alternative: VZQq9_jhjPU (Peugeot 208 spark plugs). Generation not stated in title.

Before you buy: plug type and gap specification vary by engine size and generation. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs: What They Do

Every combustion cycle in the Peugeot 208's petrol engine starts with a spark plug igniting the compressed fuel-air mixture, and their condition shapes efficiency, economy and smoothness directly. Diesel versions don't need them at all, relying purely on compression to ignite fuel.

Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs: Generations, Engines & Spark Plug Count

Diesel variants (BlueHDi)	Not applicable — diesel engines use compression ignition and have no spark plugs at all
1.2 PureTech/THP (standard petrol trims)	Genuinely only 3 spark plugs — this engine is shared across the wider PSA/Stellantis range (Peugeot, Citroen, DS), not a four-cylinder
GTI/GT (1.6 THP, where fitted)	4 spark plugs — the performance derivative uses a genuinely different, larger four-cylinder engine from the standard car's 3-cylinder unit

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Peugeot 208 Spark Plugs: Warning Signs, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Spark Plugs Guide for symptoms of worn plugs, why matching your exact plug specification matters, and trusted brands to buy from.

More Peugeot Spark Plugs

The same part, covered across other Peugeot models.