A head-turning coupe for hatchback money
The Peugeot RCZ was a genuine surprise when launched in 2010 — a stylish, well-handling coupe from a brand better known for family hatchbacks. Its double-bubble roof, TT-rivalling looks, and sharp dynamics won multiple 'best coupe' awards. Depreciation has been steep thanks to the Peugeot badge, making it one of the best-value sports coupes on the used market today, with decent examples available for remarkably little.
We track 7 known issues across the Peugeot RCZ 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 RCZ? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
T75 (2009–2015) — Petrol options included the 1.6 THP, with 2.0 HDi on the diesel side. Our database flags 7 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural member fracture.
MOT data shows this model fails for main load-bearing structural member fracture at 16.9 times the fleet average, peaking at 60,000-80,000 miles. The specific location of the structural failure is not detailed in MOT records but appears to affect both engine variants. This represents a significant safety concern as structural integrity failure can affect crash protection and vehicle stability. The improving trend suggests later production years may be less affected.
Structural member fracture poses a direct safety risk and the vehicle should not be driven. It can affect crash protection, suspension geometry, and overall vehicle stability. Professional structural assessment and potential bodyshell repair are required, which may be uneconomical on older vehicles.
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.
The EP6DT 1.6 THP engine uses a timing chain that stretches prematurely, particularly when oil change intervals are extended beyond 6,000 miles. The chain tensioner cannot compensate for excessive stretch, leading to timing chain rattle and eventually complete failure. This is exacerbated by the high-pressure turbo application which puts additional stress on the timing system. Early examples are most affected, with the problem being well-documented among Peugeot specialists.
Complete timing chain failure destroys the interference engine, requiring full engine rebuild or replacement. Even stretched chains cause poor performance, increased fuel consumption, and potential valve timing issues. Early intervention with chain replacement prevents catastrophic engine failure.
Listen for any unusual knocking, tapping or rattling from the engine at idle and under load. Check the oil for metal particles or discolouration. On higher-mileage examples, a professional compression test can reveal internal wear before it becomes critical.
The EP6DT turbocharger suffers from actuator failure and bearing wear, particularly when oil change intervals are extended or the air filter becomes contaminated. Loss of boost pressure results in significant performance reduction and increased exhaust smoke. The turbo actuator is a common failure point, often failing before the main turbo assembly requires replacement.
Complete turbo failure results in severe power loss and potential engine damage from oil starvation or debris ingestion. Actuator failure alone can often be repaired without full turbo replacement, but seal failure typically requires turbo rebuild or replacement.
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.
MOT data shows the 1.6 THP petrol engine fails for excessive blue or black smoke at 54.6 times the fleet average, peaking at 40,000-60,000 miles. This indicates oil consumption through worn valve stem seals, turbo seals, or piston rings. The worsening trend suggests this is an ongoing reliability issue with the EP6DT engine family. Blue smoke indicates oil burning, while black smoke suggests overfuelling or turbo issues.
Excessive oil consumption leads to engine damage if oil levels drop critically. Worn valve stem seals or turbo seals require significant engine work to repair. Cars failing MOT for excessive smoke cannot be legally driven until repaired.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
MOT data shows the 2.0 HDi diesel fails for smoke opacity levels at The DPF requires regular motorway driving to complete regeneration cycles - short urban journeys prevent this process and cause progressive blockage. This is a common issue with all PSA diesel engines when used predominantly for short journeys.
Complete DPF blockage causes severe power loss and can damage the engine through back-pressure. Professional DPF cleaning costs £200-400, while replacement costs £800-1500. Cars with blocked DPFs fail MOT and cannot be driven legally until repaired.
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 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Peugeot RCZ common problems page.
Based on 65k real DVSA MOT tests, the Peugeot RCZ fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 55x the fleet average, followed by stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... (52x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Peugeot RCZ MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing chain service (£800–£1,200).
See the full Peugeot RCZ service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Peugeot RCZ 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. Post-2013 facelift models are safest, as Peugeot addressed the early timing chain and tensioner problems. The 156bhp 1.6 GT with leather is the best all-rounder — better gearing than the 200bhp version which feels less responsive. For a future classic, the RCZ R (2013-2015, 270bhp) is the one to have but commands a significant premium. Always verify timing chain replacement history on any 1.6 THP model.
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 RCZ, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 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 7 known Peugeot RCZ issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.