2001 Peugeot 307 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Brake lights2.8× usual
  Peugeot 307

  13.9% All 2001 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.6%, against 4.2% of all 2001 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.

• Headlights2× usual
  Peugeot 307

  17.9% All 2001 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 3.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Sidelights2.6× usual
  Peugeot 307

  13.9% All 2001 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.5%, against 4.7% of all 2001 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.

• Headlight aim2.5× usual
  Peugeot 307

  13.9% All 2001 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.9%, against 5.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Peugeot 307

  15.2% All 2001 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  49% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  39% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

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

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% 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.

Known faults on the 2001 Peugeot 307 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.

• Over 15 recalls

  All engines

  The 307 has been recalled more than 15 times, including for the ignition, seatbelt anchorages and fuel leaks.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: Peugeot 307 (2001-2009) reliability

• Suspension faults and indicator stalks

  All engines

  Suspension faults are common, even on later cars, and the indicator stalks can fail.

  At the viewing: Avoid a car that's noisy or lurches over bumps, and test every stalk function.

  Source: What Car?: Peugeot 307 (2001-2009) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel

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

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2001 Peugeot 307 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?