Used car guide

2003 Peugeot 307: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Peugeot 307s, from 1,710 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,710MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,600typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Peugeot 307s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    Peugeot 307
    25% All 2003 cars
    12.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2003 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.4× usual
    Peugeot 307
    12% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Peugeot 307
    16.4% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.8% of all 2003 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.

  • Side repeaters5.1× usual
    Peugeot 307
    8.7% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Sidelights1.9× usual
    Peugeot 307
    11.6% All 2003 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 5.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 6% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Peugeot 307 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    47% 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
    40% 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
    36% 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.

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

Looking at a Peugeot 307?

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Other years

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Peugeot 307s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score