2011 Peugeot 207: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Peugeot 207?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Peugeot 207 than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Exhaust system2.9× usual
  Peugeot 207

  16.8% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.9× usual
  Peugeot 207

  11.7% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Number plate lights1.9× usual
  Peugeot 207

  14.5% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Peugeot 207

  10.3% All 2011 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 3.1% of all 2011 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.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Peugeot 207

  9% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.3% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Peugeot 207 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Peugeot 207 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  36% 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.

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% 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
  14% 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.

Known faults on the 2011 Peugeot 207

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Air con duct recall (could block the pedals)

  All engines

  About 90,000 cars were recalled because an air con duct could come loose and get in the way of the pedals. Other recalls covered front seatbelt fixings, rear brake hoses touching the springs, a battery earth cable that could break, the wipers and the heated seats.

  At the viewing: Ask a Peugeot dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Catalytic converter warning light

  All engines

  An engine warning light with code P0420 usually means the catalytic converter has worn out and needs replacing.

  At the viewing: Make sure the engine warning light goes out, and ask whether a new cat has been fitted.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Loose gear cables

  Manual gearbox

  Loose gearchange cables make the change awkward and the lever vibrate or creak. New cables fix it.

  At the viewing: Go through every gear and feel for a sloppy or awkward change.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Rear brakes grinding after standing

  All engines

  The rear pads can stick to the discs when the car has sat for a while, causing grinding.

  At the viewing: Listen for grinding from the back when you first move off.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Creaking front suspension

  All engines

  The front shock absorber bump stops dry out and creak on bumpy roads.

  At the viewing: Drive over speed bumps and listen.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Noisy auxiliary belt (petrol)

  Petrol

  A worn auxiliary belt, pulley or tensioner makes a noise that rises and falls with the revs.

  At the viewing: Listen at the front of the engine as you rev it.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Peugeot 207

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Have the recalls been done, including the air con duct one?
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2011 Peugeot 207 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2011 Peugeot 207 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2011 Peugeot 207 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?