Used car guide · 2001–2009

Peugeot 307 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Peugeot 307, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 21,728 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

21,728MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
39,442on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2008best year at its MOT

Pick the year

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).

200920082007200620052004200320022001

What usually goes wrong with a Peugeot 307?

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.

  • Over 15 recalls

    Cars registered 2001–2008 · All engines

    The 307 has been recalled more than 15 times, including for the ignition, seatbelt anchorages and fuel leaks.

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

    Source: What Car?: Peugeot 307 (2001-2009) reliability

  • Head gasket failure (early 1.4 petrol)

    Cars registered 2001–2008 · Early 1.4 petrol

    Some early 1.4 petrols have had head gasket failures.

    At the viewing: Check the coolant level and look for white exhaust smoke or creamy sludge under the oil cap.

    Source: What Car?: Peugeot 307 (2001-2009) reliability

  • Suspension faults and indicator stalks

    Cars registered 2001–2008 · All engines

    Suspension faults are common, even on later cars, and the indicator stalks can fail.

    At the viewing: Avoid a car that's noisy or lurches over bumps, and test every stalk function.

    Source: What Car?: Peugeot 307 (2001-2009) reliability

Common Peugeot 307 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2006.

    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.

Peugeot 307 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Peugeot 307 did best (52% passed first time, 5 points below all 2008 cars) and the 2005 did worst (48%, 10 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200951%58% -7262 (small sample)
200852%57% -51,458
200750%57% -75,772
200651%57% -65,352
200548%58% -103,375
200448%58% -102,519
200348%59% -111,710
200248%60% -121,028
200145%61% -16252 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Peugeot 307

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

  1. Has all the recall work been done?
  2. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Peugeot 307 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Peugeot 307 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Peugeot 307 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Peugeot 307?

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 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