Peugeot 307
PSA entry-level diesel with common rail injection. Economical and reliable, but low on power. Timing chain is maintenance-free.
Compact class at a crawl
68 hp in a compact like the 307 is an imposition. The car weighs over 1,200 kg; the engine struggles with every acceleration.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The injectors on the DV4 can seize in the injector bore due to carbon deposits and corrosion, making them impossible to remove without destruction. Forced removal risks damage to the cylinder head.
Symptoms: Increased fuel consumption, rough idle, black or white smoke from exhaust, engine management light, power loss under acceleration
The EGR valve on the DV4 soots up heavily from carbon deposits, particularly during frequent short-trip use. Adaptation after replacement requires PSA diagnostic software (PP2000).
Symptoms: Engine warning light, noticeable power loss, rough engine under part load, elevated emissions, rough idle, fault codes P0409/P0490/P1459
The DPF on the DV4 blocks up during predominantly short-trip use because exhaust temperatures for regeneration are never reached. Ash accumulates and can permanently clog the filter.
Symptoms: DPF blocked warning on instrument cluster, significant power loss, increased fuel consumption, engine enters limp mode, exhaust smell inside the car
Defective thermostat won't open correctly: engine stays below operating temperature in city traffic or overheats. The cooling fan relay/thermostat can also fail. Repair cost 80–250 € including parts.
Symptoms: Temperature gauge fluctuates wildly, engine overheats in city/stationary, cooling fan cycles intermittently
The injector copper seal fails: exhaust gases escape from the combustion chamber, a sticky black deposit forms around the injector. Carbon deposits in the cylinder head are dangerous for the turbo. Repair cost approx. 450–900 €.
Symptoms: Sticky black soot deposit visible around injectors, burnt oil smell, occasional warm-start failure
The oil feed gallery sits too close to the outer edge: the head gasket tends to leak on the timing side. Symptoms similar to the TU engine. Worth addressing during a timing belt change.
Symptoms: Oil film on the front timing side, slight oil loss, oil smell from the engine bay
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
The multi-function BSI unit (Boîtier de Servitude Intelligent) is extremely prone to faults. Splash water can disable the engine management. Instrument cluster, window regulator and central locking failures often trace back to the BSI.
Wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links and rear axle bearings on the 307 wear above-average quickly. TÜV/MOT inspectors regularly flag the high suspension wear. Axle and steering joints wear heavily and are a common reason for MOT failures.
ADAC and TÜV rate brake disc wear as very high. The braking system is flagged at inspection above-average frequently. Both front and rear brake discs are affected.
Steering joints and track rod ends on the 307 wear significantly faster than average. TÜV/MOT inspectors regularly flag the steering. Worn-out track rod ends lead to imprecise steering and are safety-critical.
Electric window regulators fail frequently, often caused by moisture in the door area. Water enters through the door handle recess and damages the control electronics. The problem is particularly common on the driver's side.
The blower resistor on the 307 fails frequently, leaving the heater blower working only on full speed. The problem typically appears after 80,000–100,000 km and is a known PSA issue.
