Bargain supermini if you dodge the ECU gremlins.
The 207 replaced the hugely successful 206 and sold in vast numbers across the UK from 2006-2014, competing with the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, and Renault Clio. It is now firmly in budget territory: most examples sit between £1,000 and £3,500. Warranty Direct once named it the most reliable European car in 2011, but real-world owner experience is more mixed — cheap to buy but potentially expensive to maintain.
We track 9 known issues across the Peugeot 207 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Peugeot 207? Enter the reg to see which of our 9 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
207 (2006–2014) — Petrol options included the 1.4 16v VTi, 1.4 16v VTi, 1.6 16v VTi, 1.6 16v THP 150, 1.6 THP, with 1.4 HDi, 1.6 HDi on the diesel side. Our database flags 9 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Timing chain tensioner failure (£600–£1,000 to address).
The hydraulic timing chain tensioner on EP6 and EP6DT engines fails due to inadequate oil pressure or internal wear, causing timing chain slack and potential valve-to-piston contact. This is the most critical fault on these engines and can result in catastrophic engine damage if the chain jumps timing. The issue affects both naturally aspirated EP6 and turbocharged EP6DT variants. Merged from separate expert database entries as both describe the same underlying EP6-family fault. Regular oil changes with correct specification oil are essential for tensioner longevity.
If the tensioner fails completely, the timing chain can jump teeth on the camshaft sprockets, causing the pistons to contact the valves. This results in bent valves, damaged pistons, and requires a complete engine rebuild costing £3,000-£6,000. The car should not be driven if chain rattle is present.
Listen carefully for a rattle or ticking noise from the engine on cold start — this is the most common early sign. Ask for evidence of chain replacement in the service history. On higher-mileage cars without documented replacement, budget for preventative work.
The plastic thermostat housing on EP3 and EP6 engines develops cracks due to thermal cycling, causing coolant leaks and potential overheating. The housing is integrated with the coolant outlet and water pump connection point. This is a well-documented weakness across the PSA EP engine family, with failures typically occurring between 40,000-100,000 miles as the plastic becomes brittle.
Continued driving with a leaking thermostat housing can lead to coolant loss and engine overheating. Severe overheating may cause head gasket failure, requiring repairs costing £800-£1,500. Replace the housing promptly when leaks develop.
Check the coolant level and look for any white residue or staining around hoses, the expansion tank and radiator. After a test drive, check the temperature gauge stayed stable and look underneath for drips. Ask whether key cooling components have been replaced.
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) on EP6DT turbocharged engines fails due to wear of the internal cam follower mechanism, causing insufficient fuel pressure for proper direct injection. This is a common failure mode on PSA's direct injection turbo engines, often related to poor fuel quality or extended service intervals. The pump is driven mechanically from the engine and supplies fuel at up to 200 bar pressure to the injectors.
Complete HPFP failure will prevent the engine from starting or cause severe power loss and limp mode operation. Partial failure leads to poor performance, increased fuel consumption, and potential damage to other fuel system components. Replacement is essential for reliable operation.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
Turbocharger failure affects both the EP6DT petrol turbo and DV4/DV6 diesel engines, typically due to oil starvation, contaminated oil, or bearing wear. The most common failure modes are bearing seizure and wastegate actuator problems. Poor maintenance, particularly extended oil change intervals, accelerates turbo wear. Symptoms include loss of boost pressure, excessive exhaust smoke, and oil consumption.
Complete turbo failure results in severe loss of power and may cause engine damage if metal debris enters the combustion chambers. Oil-burning turbos will fail MOT emissions tests. Replacement with a reconditioned unit typically costs £800-£1,500 including labour.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) blockage is endemic on 207 diesels used primarily for short journeys, preventing the filter from reaching regeneration temperature. The DPF warning light illuminates when blockage reaches critical levels, requiring immediate attention to prevent expensive filter replacement.
Complete DPF blockage prevents regeneration and triggers limp mode, severely limiting performance and potentially causing turbo damage from excessive back pressure. DPF replacement costs £1,000-£2,000. The car will fail MOT emissions tests if the DPF is removed or bypassed.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
For the full breakdown of all 9 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Peugeot 207 common problems page.
Based on 940k real DVSA MOT tests, the Peugeot 207 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 131x the fleet average, followed by body panel damage (33x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Peugeot 207 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£350–£500).
See the full Peugeot 207 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Peugeot 207 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2010-2012 (most recalls applied, post-early production issues, head gasket and ECU faults less prevalent in mid-life cars with proper maintenance). Avoid 2006-2008 early production. The 1.6 HDi diesel is more durable than petrol options. Peugeot recommends 10-year cambelt interval but 6 years/60,000 miles is far safer.
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.
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 207, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 9 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 9 known Peugeot 207 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.