Peugeot 207
Compact 1.4L naturally aspirated engine from the Prince family (PSA/BMW). Timing chain instead of belt, economical and reliable.
Fundamentally sound Prince naturally aspirated
The 1.4 VTi with 95–98 hp is a decent entry engine for the 207 and 208. Timing chain instead of toothed belt saves on maintenance costs; the engine runs refined. Power is enough for town and A-road use; motorway climbs can get tight. Watch for timing chain stretch.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The Prince engine suffers timing chain stretch from defective tensioners. Rhythmic rattling from the driver's side is a warning sign. A jumped chain risks severe valve damage.
Symptoms: Rattling/clattering on cold start, rhythmic knocking at idle, power loss, engine management light
The 1.4 VTi tends towards increased oil consumption from cylinder bore wear. In advanced cases this leads to catalytic converter destruction from oil combustion.
Symptoms: Rising oil consumption, bluish smoke, exhaust smell, elevated emissions at MoT/TÜV
The solenoid valves for variable cam timing (VVT) fail or get blocked by oil residue. Fault code P0013 or P0014 is stored. The exhaust solenoid is most frequently affected and costs under 50 Euro.
Symptoms: Engine fault warning, misfires particularly on cold start, power loss going uphill, engine briefly runs on three cylinders after start
The ignition coils on the Prince engine have a high failure rate. Power loss, juddering and the engine management light follow. Replacement is inexpensive but should be done promptly.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine juddering, engine management light, rough running
The thermostat housing on the right side of the engine (black unit) shows cracks and leaks. Coolant loss collects in the cooling fins — no visible puddle under the car. Typical VTi-120 weak point.
Symptoms: Coolant drops slowly, smell of hot coolant, no puddle visible
TU/EP engines with cable clutch show increased wear in city use. A clutch kit at 100,000–120,000 km is often due. Check the clutch cable at the same time.
Symptoms: Clutch engages late, slips, pedal returns slowly, slip when accelerating
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.
