Buying Guide / 2005–2014

Peugeot 107 Problems & Buying Guide

Toyota-engined city car, avoid the robotised gearbox

1.0L
Engines
1
Generation
5
Known Issues
649k
MOT Tests

The 107 was built alongside the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 at the TPCA plant in Kolín, Czech Republic, sharing Toyota's 1.0-litre 1KR-FE engine. Produced from 2005 to 2014, it was one of the cheapest cars to buy and run in the UK. Used examples now range from £1,000 to £3,500 depending on age and mileage. It has been replaced by the Peugeot 108, but the 107 remains hugely popular as a first car and urban runabout.

We track 5 known issues across the Peugeot 107 range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.

Found a Peugeot 107? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.

GB
History & Generations

Phase1 (2005–2014) — Engine options included the 1.0 VTi. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Suspension joint and bush wear (£200–£500 to address).

5 Things to Know Before You Buy
1
Suspension joint and bush wear
High £200–£500 Phase1

MOT data shows this model fails suspension joint and bush inspections at 30 times the national fleet average, particularly affecting cars between 20,000-40,000 miles. The 107 shares its platform with the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1, and all three models show similar patterns of premature suspension wear. The light weight and firm suspension tuning appears to concentrate loads on bushes and joints, leading to accelerated deterioration. This is the most statistically significant defect pattern on the 107.

Worn suspension components affect handling, tyre wear, and MOT pass rates. The car may feel unstable or noisy over bumps. Replacement of multiple bushes and joints can cost £300-600 depending on which components are affected.

What to check

Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.

Sources: Honest John, What Car?, Auto Express, owner forums, specialist workshops
2
Suspension component corrosion
High £300–£800 Phase1

MOT data shows this model fails for suspension component corrosion at 19.2 times the fleet average, with failures seen across all mileage bands including very low mileage examples. This suggests poor corrosion protection on suspension components from the factory. The pattern is most severe on cars with higher mileage but affects even relatively new examples, indicating a systematic issue with the protective coating or material specification used on suspension arms and subframes.

Corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, affecting vehicle control and safety. Severely corroded components will fail MOT and require replacement. In extreme cases, corroded subframes may require structural welding or replacement.

What to check

Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.

Sources: Honest John, What Car?, Auto Express, owner forums, specialist workshops
3
Emissions system deterioration
High £150–£600 Phase1

The pattern suggests the small capacity 1.0-litre engine and its emissions control components deteriorate more rapidly than larger engines, possibly due to running at higher loads relative to capacity. This affects cars primarily above 80,000 miles but some failures occur earlier.

Cars with emissions failures will not pass MOT. Common fixes include lambda sensor replacement, catalytic converter replacement, or addressing exhaust leaks. Costs range from £100-200 for sensor replacement to £300-600 for catalytic converter replacement.

What to check

Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.

Sources: Honest John, What Car?, Auto Express, owner forums, specialist workshops
4
Steering linkage wear
High £120–£300 Phase1

MOT data shows steering linkage problems at 15.1 times the fleet average, particularly affecting higher mileage examples above 60,000 miles. The failures relate to missing or ineffective retaining devices on steering linkage components, suggesting that split pins, locking nuts, or castle nuts work loose or fail over time. This is a safety-critical system where component separation could cause loss of steering control.

Worn steering linkage affects vehicle control and is a serious safety issue. Failed components can cause sudden loss of steering control. This defect will cause immediate MOT failure and the car should not be driven until repaired.

What to check

During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.

Sources: Honest John, What Car?, Auto Express, owner forums, specialist workshops
5
Actuator corrosion
Minor £150–£400 Phase1

This likely refers to brake actuators, brake caliper mechanisms, or ABS system actuators that have corroded and are no longer functioning properly. The relatively small sample size suggests this affects a specific component rather than a widespread issue, but the failure rate is significantly elevated on affected cars.

Corroded brake actuators can cause uneven braking, brake binding, or complete brake failure on the affected wheel. This will cause MOT failure and affects safety. Repair typically involves replacing the affected caliper or actuator.

What to check

Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.

Sources: Honest John, What Car?, Auto Express, owner forums, specialist workshops

For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Peugeot 107 common problems page.

MOT Weak Points

Based on 649k real DVSA MOT tests, the Peugeot 107 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... at 95x the fleet average, followed by indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative (87x).

When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Peugeot 107 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.

Running Costs

Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.

See the full Peugeot 107 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.

The Verdict

The Peugeot 107 is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2010-2014 for the best combination of improved rust protection (post-2009 revision), mature build quality, and lowest mileage examples still available. Stick to the 5-speed manual gearbox unconditionally — the MMT semi-automatic is the single biggest reliability risk on this car.

Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.

The good
  • Toyota 1KR-FE 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is near-bulletproof — timing chain driven, no turbo, designed for 200,000+ miles with basic maintenance
  • Insurance groups 3-6 make it one of the cheapest cars in the UK to insure — ideal for young and new drivers
  • Real-world fuel economy of 55-62mpg; road tax is free (pre-April 2017 registration) or minimal for older models due to ultra-low CO2 emissions
  • Parts are shared across the Aygo/C1/107 trio, so spares are abundant and cheap — a clutch replacement costs £300-£500, water pump £150-£250
Watch out for
  • Suspension joint and bush wear
  • Suspension component corrosion
  • Emissions system deterioration
  • Steering linkage wear
Why Check With Get Car Wise?

Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.

When you run a report on a specific Peugeot 107, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.

Found a Peugeot 107?

Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.

GB

Sources & Further Reading

This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Peugeot 107 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.

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