Used car guide

2001 Peugeot 307: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Peugeot 307s, from 252 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 252 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

252MOT tests in 2025
45%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,000typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Peugeot 307s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Brake discs2.2× usual
    Peugeot 307
    26.2% All 2001 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Peugeot 307
    19.8% All 2001 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    Peugeot 307
    20.2% All 2001 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 3.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Headlight aim2.5× usual
    Peugeot 307
    13.1% All 2001 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.1%, against 5.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Peugeot 307
    13.5% All 2001 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 7.9% here, against 17% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Peugeot 307 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    56% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    44% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Peugeot 307?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009262Suspension 51%
20081,458Suspension 52%
20075,772Suspension 54%
20065,352Suspension 53%
20053,375Suspension 53%
20042,519Suspension 53%
20031,710Suspension 54%
20021,028Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Peugeot 307s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score