Peugeot 207
Most widespread PSA diesel. Went through many evolution stages from Euro 4 to Euro 6. Economical and long-lived with regular servicing. Prone to DPF issues in short-trip operation.
Golden middle ground
109 hp in the 207 is a good balance of power and economy. Adequate torque, but turbo damage threatens at high mileages.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The 1.6 HDi is notorious for repeated turbocharger failures. Soot particles in the oil alter viscosity, oil lines coke up and the turbocharger runs dry. A second failure after replacement without addressing the root cause is common.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbocharger, severe power loss, blue or black exhaust smoke, oil leaking from turbo, engine enters limp mode
The copper sealing rings on the injectors wear out, allowing combustion gases and diesel to enter the cylinder head. Oil dilution by diesel can lead to engine damage. Affects all 1.6 HDi variants.
Symptoms: Diesel smell at the dipstick, rising oil level, black deposits around injectors, rough engine running, hissing noises at the cylinder head with engine running
The cam-to-cam timing chain between inlet and exhaust camshafts can stretch or snap. Hydraulic chain tensioners fail, causing valve timing shift and in extreme cases engine damage.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, rough engine running, engine management light, power loss, in extreme cases sudden engine shutdown from chain snap
The plastic impeller on the water pump breaks away early and can damage the timing belt or cause engine failure. Engine damage documented from as low as 70,000–88,000 km. Always replace the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.
Symptoms: Engine overheating, timing belt snaps without warning, fan noise, coolant loss
During short-trip use DPF regeneration fails regularly. Deposits in the EGR and throttle body additionally prevent correct regeneration. From 160,000 km complete replacement is frequently needed.
Symptoms: Warning 'particulate filter filling up', noticeable power loss, increased fuel consumption, engine judders under acceleration, limp mode
Leaks around the injector sealing area let exhaust gases into the cylinder head. A gel-like oil residue forms in the head chambers (especially pre-2006 build). Professional cleaning takes around 10 labour hours. Turbo damage threatened by oil contamination.
Symptoms: Turbo damage, power loss, black oil paste around injectors, engine oil contamination
Vehicle Weaknesses 9
The manual gearbox on the 207 can develop rattling noises at low revs due to bearing wear, which worsen with increasing mileage. In the worst case a complete bearing failure leads to significant consequential costs.
The dual mass flywheel on the diesel and THP petrol engines wears at higher mileages and needs to be replaced together with the clutch. City driving and frequent pull-aways accelerate wear considerably.
Brake discs on the 207 wear twice as fast as average. TÜV/MOT inspectors flag the brakes above-average frequently. Both braking performance and the condition of the discs regularly attract negative attention.
Springs, shock absorbers and track rod ends on the 207 wear above-average quickly. From the second MOT/TÜV onwards, suspension faults become a problem. Seized bushes and joints on the front axle are typical.
The A/C often fails through a defective condenser or leaking compressor. Refrigerant loss through leaky seals is the most common cause. Sometimes the blower resistor also fails, preventing heater operation.
Vehicles built between 2009 and 2015 were recalled due to faulty seat heating cables. The defective cable can draw current when parked and drain the battery. Non-CC variants are also affected.
Electric window regulators often fail after 70,000 to 90,000 km, particularly at the rear windows. Worn motors or defective switches are usually to blame. This is among the most common electrical faults.
The 207's exhaust system is poorly protected against corrosion and rusts through above-average quickly. The rear silencer and flex pipes are particularly affected. TÜV/MOT inspectors flag the exhaust significantly more often than on comparable vehicles.
Failed bulbs and lighting problems are among the most common TÜV/MOT failures. Dipped beams, indicators and rear lights fail above-average frequently. TÜV inspectors flag lighting significantly more often than average.
