What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Peugeot ION.
The Peugeot ION occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Peugeot ION range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Peugeot ION? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Gen1 (2011–2020) — Engine options included the 47kW Electric Motor. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion near suspension mounting points (£800–£2,000 to address).
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of suspension mounting points shows significantly higher corrosion rates than the fleet average on this model. This affects the structural integrity around subframe, spring and suspension component mounting areas. The lightweight construction and materials used in this electric vehicle platform appear particularly susceptible to corrosion in these critical load-bearing areas. Structural failure in these areas creates immediate safety risks.
Structural failure near suspension mounting points can cause catastrophic handling loss, wheel detachment, or suspension collapse. The vehicle becomes immediately unsafe to drive. Proper structural repairs require specialist welding and may not be economically viable on older examples.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Brake hose ferrules (the metal crimped ends that connect flexible brake hoses to rigid brake lines) show exceptionally high corrosion rates on this model, failing at 36.8 times the national fleet average. This issue appears most frequently on low-mileage examples, suggesting a material or design problem rather than normal wear. The ferrule corrosion can lead to brake fluid leaks and complete brake system failure. The trend appears to be worsening in recent MOT data.
Corroded brake hose ferrules can cause complete brake system failure without warning. The vehicle should not be driven if ferrule corrosion is suspected. Emergency repair requires immediate brake system inspection and affected hose replacement.
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.
Steering rack gaiters and ball joint dust covers deteriorate at 35.6 times the fleet average rate on this model. These rubber boots protect critical steering components from contamination. Once damaged, dirt and moisture enter the steering joints causing accelerated wear and eventual steering system failure. The high failure rate suggests poor material quality or design issues with the protective boots used on this electric vehicle platform.
Failed dust covers allow contamination of steering joints leading to accelerated wear, steering looseness, and potential steering system failure. While not immediately dangerous, deteriorated gaiters require prompt replacement to prevent expensive steering component damage.
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.
Brake pipes show damage or excessive corrosion at 6.0 times the fleet average rate. This affects the rigid metal brake lines that carry brake fluid throughout the braking system. The electric vehicle's construction or material choices appear to make the brake lines particularly susceptible to corrosion damage. Failed brake pipes can cause complete brake system failure and represent a serious safety risk.
Corroded or damaged brake pipes can cause partial or complete brake system failure. The vehicle may lose braking ability without warning. Immediate inspection and repair is required if brake pipe damage is suspected.
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.
Suspension component dust covers fail at 35.0 times the fleet average, with associated excessive wear of suspension pins, bushes and joints occurring at 6.5 times the fleet average. These protective rubber boots prevent dirt and moisture from contaminating suspension joints. The high failure rate on this platform suggests material quality issues with the dust covers used. Once failed, the exposed joints wear rapidly requiring expensive suspension component replacement.
Failed dust covers lead to contamination and accelerated wear of suspension joints. This results in poor handling, excessive tyre wear, and MOT failures. While not immediately dangerous, prompt replacement prevents more expensive suspension component failures.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Peugeot ION common problems page.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include coolant flush (battery thermal management) (£200–£300).
See the full Peugeot ION service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Peugeot ION has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues 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.
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 ION, 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.
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 5 known Peugeot ION issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.