2012 Peugeot 207 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Exhaust system3.5× usual
  Peugeot 207

  17% All 2012 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Number plate lights2.5× usual
  Peugeot 207

  16.6% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Coil springs1.9× usual
  Peugeot 207

  15.8% All 2012 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Sidelights2.5× usual
  Peugeot 207

  11.7% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.4%, against 4.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Brake lights2.7× usual
  Peugeot 207

  9.8% All 2012 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 2.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  44% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  39% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  28% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Air con duct recall (could block the pedals)

  All engines

  About 90,000 cars were recalled because an air con duct could come loose and get in the way of the pedals. Other recalls covered front seatbelt fixings, rear brake hoses touching the springs, a battery earth cable that could break, the wipers and the heated seats.

  At the viewing: Ask a Peugeot dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Catalytic converter warning light

  All engines

  An engine warning light with code P0420 usually means the catalytic converter has worn out and needs replacing.

  At the viewing: Make sure the engine warning light goes out, and ask whether a new cat has been fitted.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Loose gear cables

  Manual gearbox

  Loose gearchange cables make the change awkward and the lever vibrate or creak. New cables fix it.

  At the viewing: Go through every gear and feel for a sloppy or awkward change.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Rear brakes grinding after standing

  All engines

  The rear pads can stick to the discs when the car has sat for a while, causing grinding.

  At the viewing: Listen for grinding from the back when you first move off.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

• Creaking front suspension

  All engines

  The front shock absorber bump stops dry out and creak on bumpy roads.

  At the viewing: Drive over speed bumps and listen.

  Source: Haynes: Peugeot 207 common problems (2006-2014)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel

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

1. Have the recalls been done, including the air con duct one?
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Peugeot 207 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?