Used car guide · 1993–2022

Peugeot 306 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Peugeot 306, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 12,373 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1993 Peugeot 306

Too few Peugeot 306 cars first registered in 1993 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Peugeot 306 as a whole.

221on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1993 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20222002200120001999199819971996199519941993

What usually goes wrong with a Peugeot 306?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

    Cars registered in 2022 · 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

    The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

    Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Common Peugeot 306 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Steering rack

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

    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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

    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.

Diesel

  • Steering rack

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1998 and 1999.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1998 and 2000.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2001.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2001.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1998 and 1999.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Peugeot 306 MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200260%58% +2493 (small sample)
200159%60% -12,510
200058%61% -33,229
199957%63% -62,247
199860%65% -51,562
199760%65% -51,061
199661%66% -5599
199557%67% -10442 (small sample)
199462%67% -5230 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Peugeot 306

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

  1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
  2. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Peugeot 306 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the Peugeot 306 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Peugeot 306 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 306?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score