Peugeot 206
Large 2.0L naturally aspirated engine with 140 hp. Timing belt engine, robust and powerful. Good foundation for sporting models.
206 with a muscular 2.0L
The EW10 with 140 hp in the 206 delivers surprisingly good urge. The large engine in the small car makes keeping up with traffic effortless. Not as sharp as the 206 RC, but considerably more capable than the weaker engines.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The ignition coils of the EW10 fail regularly and cause misfires. On the 206 there was even a TSB with a wiring modification (capacitor on the connector). Individual cylinders drop out.
Symptoms: Juddering under acceleration, engine management light, increased fuel consumption, rough idle
The camshaft position sensor of the EW10 is prone to dirty contacts and intermittent failures. The engine can stall under throttle and requires careful application of the accelerator.
Symptoms: Engine stalls when blipping the throttle, warm-start problems, sporadic fault codes
The electric thermostat of the EW10A fails frequently and causes overheating issues or too-low operating temperature. Converting to a mechanical thermostat is a well-known workaround.
Symptoms: Temperature gauge fluctuates significantly, engine does not reach operating temperature, overheating warning
Hydraulic tappets accumulate carbon in their return bores. The oil pump then pushes high-pressure oil into the cylinder head, valves don't close properly: misfire on cold start. Using 5W-40 instead of 0W-40 helps. Repair approx. 450–1,200 €.
Symptoms: Engine runs on 3 cylinders after cold start, misfire on cylinders 1–4, clears up when warm
The EW10 is prone to oil leaks at the cam cover gasket and oil pump pressure relief valve. Regular inspection of seals recommended, especially at higher mileages.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, oil smell in engine bay, dropping oil level
The EW10 head gasket leaks on the timing side due to a design weakness similar to the TU engine. Oil feed gallery close to the outer edge.
Symptoms: Oil film front right on the engine, slight oil loss, occasional coolant foam
Vehicle Weaknesses 10
Sills and wheel arches rust through on older 206s. Vehicles built before 2002 are particularly affected. Rotten sills fail the MOT/TÜV and require extensive welding repairs.
The water pump on the petrol engines in the 206 starts leaking at 80,000–120,000 km, causing a slow coolant loss. Ignoring it risks overheating with consequential cylinder head damage. Regular coolant level checks are recommended.
The needle roller bearings in the torsion beam rear axle typically wear between 100,000 and 150,000 km. Moisture and dirt get in through failed seals and destroy the bearings. The right side is usually first.
Wishbone bushes on the front axle wear out on early build years (to 2002) sometimes after just 20,000 km. Later models last longer, but control arms are among the most common TÜV/MOT failures on the 206.
The manual gearbox tends to be stiff to shift and jump out of gear. Worn synchro rings and failed clutches are the most common causes. In severe cases the gearbox can fail completely.
The A/C compressor on the 206 loses cooling performance after 60,000–100,000 km through refrigerant loss or internal wear. Cars without regular A/C servicing are affected earlier.
The exhaust system on the 206 is particularly rust-prone. Rear silencer and flex pipes can rust through after just a few years. Short-trip use makes matters worse as condensed water accelerates internal corrosion.
Failed headlights, central locking failures and instrument cluster malfunctions are frequent. ADAC reports particularly on 1999 model years with persistent ECU fault codes and immobiliser problems.
The front brakes lack a dust shield, which was omitted for cost and cooling reasons. This allows more dirt and moisture to accumulate, leading to increased wear and corrosion on the brake discs.
Electric window regulators fail frequently, particularly at the front doors. Failed motors or worn cables are usually the cause. The problem is more common on vehicles built before 2001.
