Peugeot started as a family business in 1810 and has since become a huge car manufacturer, with cars being sold across the world. Peugeot have long been popular cars, and have won five European Car of the Year awards. They are also a pretty common sight on our roads here in the UK.
And, with a company as established as Peugeot, they have gained a reputation for making solidly built cars. But, are Peugeot reliable?
In this article, we look at whether Peugeot are reliable, and how they compare to some of their rivals.
Are Peugeot reliable?
Interestingly, some of the older Peugeot models are still driven in places such as Benin, in West Africa. In which case, you would say that they are extremely reliable. Unfortunately, we aren’t talking about older Peugeot models, and though they probably aren’t as dependable, they are still pretty reliable.
In the most recent Telegraph survey for most dependable car brands, Peugeot come in 5th place, this is a jump from 10th place last year. It was recorded that they had 92 problems per 100 vehicles.
ReliabilityIndex put Peugeot in 14th place, with a reliability index of 96. This is impressive, and is above the industry average of 118 (the lower the score the better). They have also placed four Peugeot models in their Top 100 Cars for reliability.
How reliable is the Peugeot 107?
The Peugeot 107 is a very reliable car. In 2012 thisismoney named it one of the most dependable used cars, reporting that it only spent 0.24 days off the road.
ReliabilityIndex also awarded the 107 with a reliability index score of just 21. This is incredibly low which means it is incredibly reliable. The repair costs are slightly costly, at an average of £276.31. It’s average time off the road, according to ReliabilityIndex, is around 2.50 hours. This is also quite a long time but it isn’t as long as some of its rivals. The main problem appears to be with the cooling and heating system, as that accounts for 45.83% of problems, with the electrics coming in second. However, there have been no reported problems with the steering or transmission.
Breakeryard have reported that some of the problems you may encounter with the 107 include;
- Power steering problems
- You may encounter this further down the line, you will have to get a replacement pump fitted
- Irregular idling
- This is where the revs are going up and down instead of staying constant. You will have to get a new idle control valve fitted.
- Front tyre wear
- The 107 is known for excessive tyre wear so you should keep an eye on the tread depth of the front tyres.
Is the Peugeot 207 reliable?
The Peugeot 207 isn’t as reliable as the 107, but it is still a very dependable car. It has a reliability index of 85, with the main problem being the engine which accounts for 23.08% of all issues. It’s average repair costs are quite costly, at £342.69. The average time it spends off road is also quite high at 3.02 hours.
The feedback on carbuyer is mixed, with some saying that the 207 is a reliable car and there have been no problems, and others saying the opposite. The general consensus, however, is that the 207 is a fairly reliable car and there haven’t been that many problems with it.
Breakeryard have reported that some of the problems you might encounter with the 207 include;
- Problems with the ECU
- This includes the ABS and power steering warning lights
- Windscreen washer failure
- This is common in 207’s and is caused by a faulty 5 amp fuse
- Alternator problems
- If you have an early 207 or are looking at buying one, then you may have problems with the alternator.
Peugeot 308 reliability
If you are looking for a slightly larger family car, then you might be looking at the 308. And you should, because it’s pretty reliable. It has a reliability index of 86 and an average repair cost of £292.92. This is less than the 207. It also spends less time off the road, with an average of 2.71 hours. The main problem appears to be with the engine, accounting for 26.92% of all problems.Whatcar? put the 308 at better than class average for pollen filters and electrics, but below class average for bulbs and brake pads. Some common problems with the 308 might include;
- Pulling to the left
- This is caused by uneven front tyre wear
- Turbo problems
Is the Peugeot 3008 reliable?
Looking for something a bit bigger? Then the 3008 might be right for you. It has a good reliability index of 106. It’s average repair costs are pricier at £495.12, but it is a larger and more expensive car so this is expected. It does only spend 2.95 hours off the road though which is good, better than some of the smaller models. The electrics account for 23.44% of all problems on ReliabilityIndex.
However, there have been a few recalls to the 3008,including replacing the fuel heater. If you are buying second hand, then you will have to make sure that the car has undergone the recalls.
WhatCar? suggest that some of the problems you may encounter include;
- Wear and tear
- This can show up quite badly on the 3008
- Heating and ventilation systems
- Some have reported issues with this
While Peugeot models have some issues, overall their cars and the brand as a whole are very dependable. Their reliability indexes for their most popular cars are low, though their repair costs can be quite expensive. However, they are still not as expensive as some of their rivals.
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Why are Peugeot reliable?
One of the reasons Peugeot models are so dependable could be because of the simplicity of the models. This can be backed up by the fact their smaller models are more reliable than their larger models.
Generally, smaller cars that are aimed to be affordable and to get you from A to B with little fuss tend to be more reliable than other cars. This is often due to the fact that they lack the complex modern technology bigger and more luxurious cars boast about having. While it looks good and sounds appealing, the technology can often have faults. These faults can be expensive to repair or replace, thereby bringing the reliability down by quite a bit.
However, the simplistic city cars don’t necessarily have this technology, and are therefore more reliable. This also keeps the price down and in turn, the repair costs down.
Some Peugeot models are also quick to repair and the less time a model spends off the road the better their dependability score. This is due to the fact that there are a lot of Peugeot cars on the road and they are made with more common parts than some of their more luxurious counterparts. This can come in handy when it needs replacement parts, as they will be less expensive and easier to source. All of these factors play into the reliability score.
So those are a few reasons why Peugeot are more dependable than some other manufacturers.
Want to find the perfect Peugeot for your needs and budget?
Peugeot vs. Nissan vs. Citroen
How does Peugeot compare to some of its rivals on the dependability front?
It holds its own. Nissan come 9th in the ReliabilityIndex table with a reliability index of 88. However, it didn’t do as well in the Telegraph survey, coming in 10th place with 98 problems per 100 vehicles. This is a drop from 87 problems last year. That said, Cheatsheet have put it in their top 10 vehicle brands for dependability, with Nissan models reaching 195,593 miles before hitting zero value. The Nissan Micra, their supermini, does well with a reliability index of 34 and average repair costs of £252.07. It also spends an average of 1.33 hours off the road, which is lower than the Peugeot 107. Their MPV, the Nissan Note, also does very well. It has a reliability index of 33 and an average repair cost of £237.73. It also spends 1.93 hours off the road, which is pretty good. If we look at the Nissan Qashqai, one of their most popular cars, then this also does well. It isn’t as reliable as the Micra or the Note, but is still dependable. It has a reliability index of 70 and average repair costs of £346.48. This is quite pricey, but it is a more expensive car. It also spends 2.01 hours off the road, which is pretty good. [vc_single_image image=”47698″ img_size=”article-image”]Peugeot also hold their own when it comes to Citroen. They come 13th place in the Telegraph survey with 115 problems per 100 vehicles. This is behind both Peugeot and Nissan. They also fall behind on ReliabilityIndex, coming 20th. They have a reliability index of 112, which is just above industry average.
However, their supermini, the C1, is extremely dependable. It has a reliability index of just 15. This is lower than Peugeot and Nissans counterparts. It has an average repair cost of £256.08 which is on par with the Micra and slightly less than the 107. It spends an average of 1.44 hours off the road. The Citroen C3 also doesn’t fare too badly, with a reliability index of 59. The average repair costs are quite low as well, at £270 and an average repair time of 2.41 hours. This is marginally better than the reliability of the 207.
The Citroen XSara Picasso, however, knocks the 3008 out of the park, unfortunately. It has a reliability index of 46 and average repair costs of £222.58. This is considerably better than the 3008. It spends an average of 2.20 hours off road.
Peugeot stand their ground when it comes to the smaller city cars, but they fail to keep up with the dependability of the larger cars. The 3008 doesn’t measure up compared to the Qashqai or the XSara Picasso. It does, however, keep up with the smaller cars. So it depends what you are looking for. Ultimately though, Peugeot put up a good fight when it comes to reliability and their rivals.
What are the most reliable Peugeot cars?
The most dependable Peugeot models are as follows;
- Peugeot 107
- Peugeot 206
- Peugeot 308
What are the least reliable Peugeot cars?
The least dependable models are;
- Peugeot 3008
- Peugeot 407
In conclusion, Peugeot are a solidly dependable brand. They triumph when it comes to smaller, city cars, however. They do fall down when it comes to slightly larger cars such as the 3008, but even then the 3008 isn’t exactly an unreliable model. The main reason for their dependability is down to the fact that they make affordable cars that avoid any expensive and complex technology that can lower reliability. They are also affordable when it comes to repair costs. When it comes to their rivals, they fare well, particularly with their smaller cars. If you are looking for a well built car that drives well and won’t let you down in terms of reliability, then Peugeot are perfect for you.
i have a peugeot 2016 with 1.2 puretech engine (82 HP) with ETG 5 gearbox.
i had to keep it in my local garage for too many times because it’s horrible reliability,
my car still in warranty but even though asked me to pay in order to repair their useless gearbox fault, they said that there are no warranty for the clutch, but this issue exist since i got my car for the first time back in 2016.
useless cars, i am done with this horrible manufacturer, take it as a comment before your order.
Hi Adnan,
Sorry to hear about your experience with the Peugeot. If you are in the UK and looking for advice on a new vehicle, please contact us.
I have had a Peugeot SW 207 since 2011 and had numerous computer/electrical problems and can not go spending more money on it, it has only done 47,000 miles so feel rather cheated.
Hi Rosemary,
Sorry to hear that you’ve not had a positive experience with your Peugeot. If you’re looking for a new car and based in the UK, I know that the team here at OSV would be happy to help you.
We bought a Peugeot 5008 in July 2016 after the used car warranty was up, every three to four months it gets towed to Peugeot Sydney .Each time it is never cheaper than $2000 to repair the last straw was last week we paid $1675 for a oil leek and surrounding area clean up repair we were than told your car will still run bad you need to spend another $2200 on a decarb .I told my wife you bought a lemon.
Hi Allan,
I am sorry to hear that you’ve not had such a positive experience with your Peugeot 5008. I hope that you have now managed to resolve the issues to your satisfaction. I am sure that our Australian readers will find your feedback helpful when purchasing a Peugeot in Australia.
You are correct about the smaller cars. As a tech my uncle finds them a joy to work on because the modular design and fitment of components make the cars so easy to work on, turnaround times are fast. (By contrast he hates BMWs after the mid 90’s because even simple jobs take ages to complete due to the complexity of fitment.)
Peugeot are no worse than most modern manufacturers and costs of repairs aren’t to crazy either (in Europe.)
Hi Ross,
Thank you for your comment. It’s always interesting to hear from people who have experience with different car manufacturers, whether it’s as a driver, mechanic or supplier. I am sure that those considering their new car will find this very helpful when making a decision.
I have a peugeot 207cc sonce I’ve brought it in May 2019 I’ve spent more than the car cost. Lovely to drive when works but not reliable. Mine got towed to garage Monday going to pick my granddaughter up!
Hi Catherine,
Many thanks for your comment regarding reliability of your Peugeot. If you are aware of the issue that the garage has diagnosed then we would recommend you use online forums to discover if other owners have experienced the same issues. We hope that this suggestion helps you.
I ever experienced before purchase so lousy car in my life.
I purchased 208 in year July19 with encounter so many defect such like:
1)July19 – rear number plate bulb no function.
2)Aug19 – compressor noise.
3)Dec19 – Both side drive shaft broken.
4)Jan20 – Radio no sound.
5)Feb20 – Head light no function one side.
Hello Plsim,
Thank you for your comments on the experience you have had with Peugeot in Kuala Lumpur. The majority of our readers are in the UK, though I am sure those who are purchasing in the Malaysian market will be interested in reading about your experiences with the manufacturer.
I purchased a 308s 120 hatchback 1600cc vti engine. We were very tied and it was raining, so we took a chance on the fact it was a BMW engine and was chain driven. I have spent more money on repairs to this car in the 3 years of having it, than on my other cars in the last 25 years. I have never in all my life experienced such poor design and stupidly difficult access for repairs. I now tell everyone I meet one simple rule- NEVER EVER EVER BUY A PEUGEOT.
My friend has a brand new Peugeot, after a few weeks all the oil leaked out of a rusted (Brand New) oil filter, now at 6000 miles it needs new gearbox cables. I will never ever buy another Peugeot.
Hi Chris,
Sorry to hear that your experience with Peugeot has not been a positive one. We make our reviews and articles as unbiased as possible. If you are looking to lease or purchase a new vehicle, and would like unbiased and expert advice, please get in touch with Amanda on 01903 223391 and she will be able to help you.
Sadly Peugeot make very unreliable cars at least when it comes to cables and electrical things especially sensors (which sadly cost huge amount of money to fix).
The engines are very good tho.
Had a 407 diesel and spent in 6 years almost as much as the car cost itself.
Some of the latest problems:
-Huge ABS/ESP sensors problems that intermitently stopped working. Impossible to diagnose since it would work for 15 days and then 2 days would stop working. Made me destroy a disc cause I had to put a sudden brake because of a pedestrian and since the ABS was off… the disc deformed.
-Stop lamp intermitently not working untill you move the wires around. (realised that after changing 2 bulbs)
-Driver door not locking at all even tho all other doors and boot would lock properly (this would also happen intermitently).
-Temperature sensor not displaying any temp (some control unit in the door that also made the mirror stop folding and window stop opening/closing on that side)
These are just the last problems.. i don’t even want to remember all the other sensor problems.
And you might think I’m the unlucky one but all the people that i know and have pugs have electrical/sensors problems.
Hi,
Thank you for your comment on the issues you have experienced with your Peugeot models. We are in the process of updating all our reliability articles and if these are common issues that many experience I am sure that they will be mentioned in the data we refer to. If these are issues many have had and reported, have you checked Peugeot owner forums?
There are 2 categories of Peugeot, the “old” models and the “new” models.
The old models which usually ended in a 5 or 6 were ones from the 1980’s to the mid 2000’s, these had the so called electrical issues, well, the big issue was doors not locking on older cars, caused by the loom between the door and the body of the car, they became brittle over time and one of the many wires would break and cause intermittent faults with the mirrors, central locking and electric windows.
Mechanically the engines were pretty decent, the 1.9 DT was reliable but you didnt see that fitted past 1999.
Newer models didnt have the same issues, the 1.4 TU engine (8 valve) is known to have a weak head gasket, the 1.4 16 valve does not (75 and 90bhp), the early HDI’s can be problematic, later 2ltr HDI’s are far more reliable as long as you maintain them regulary.
The BMW/PSA Prince units (BMW N13/N14 & N18 or PSA E3 and EP6) are reasonably decent engines but have several major issues that later variants tried to rectify (not all successfully).
The big issue on these engines is pretty much everything BMW put in them, the timing chain and tensioner is just a really poor design, the tensioner just wears and you need to replace the full kit (don’t just do the tensioner as the guides in the engine can be damaged by the original tensioner failing and you dont want them floating about your engine when they break up), vanos can be an issue if the wrong oil is used, its pretty sensitive to the viscosity used, carbon build up on early units with the PCV was a big problem, BMW sort of reduced this with the N18 engine, short trips to the shops wont help with keeping the carbon build up down on these direct injection units.
Rocker covers can leak, fairly easy to sort out, valves are thinner due to the DI (PSA did the valves), sensors are usually bosch, pretty much every manufacturer will use someone like bosch, if you think PSA have sensor issues, go look at the top german brands, even worse for electrical gremlins and sensor faults.
Overall PSA build some reliable cars but they can have issues, note the only units they did with the timing chains were the Prince engines, they reverted back to belts after that on their petrol units (diesels are already timing belts).
I own a Peugeot 208. I have also ever had to spend so much money keeping a vehicle on the road. Less than 60,000km in the clock and just had to foot a bill for more than $2000 to replace a faulty thermostat housing and leaking water pump. The car also has an engine oil leak this which needs attention and will cost thousands more to fix. And all this is after having to have the car re-sprayed after it’s faulty factory paint flaked off in chunks. Its not just that it’s plagued with issues, it the ridiculous cost Peugeot charge each time one needs fixing.
Hi Bek,
Thank you for your comment. Our reports are from UK-based companies looking at performance in the UK and EU as our customer-base is focused on the UK. As a European brand it’s likely that provision of parts etc is harder to come by in the US where you are based.
I bought a Peugeot 2000 306 had it for 6 years and the only thing I spent on it was two front tyres great car great motor
Our company has a fleet of Peugeot boxer vans and we have had a lot of issues and most are still under warranty and take months to be fixed through Bristol Street motors. Whilst they are more cost effective to buy then Mercedes my recommendation would be to steer well clear of this make.
Hello Sue, thank you for sharing your experience with Peugeot, this is very useful for our reader’s vehicle buying decision.
Just had a new 508 hybrid delivered. Faulty when 1st used several issues and its going to be 6 weeks before local dealer can even look at it plus a recal notice has arrived for another issue. Disappointing start to brand after having 3 Volkswagens and no issues with any of them.
Hi there Dennis, sorry to hear about your experience with your new Peugeot 508 hybrid. Your honest review will be very useful for our readers. If you are looking to replace your current vehicle, get in touch with our Vehicle Specialists to find the best vehicle solution for you. Call us on 01903 25500
My 1974 Peugeot 504 Coupe is much more reliable than my 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Hi there Stephen, thank you for sharing your experience with your Peugeot 504 Coupe. This will be very useful for our readers.
I have a 308 2017 1.2 estate.I had driven it for 5 years then I had many problems arriving on my dash,took it on for repair but was told it needs a new engine as the oil filter was blocked from drive belt shredding.I was extremely lucky that I had one month and a 1000 miles left on my warranty so got a new engine free but it did take nearly 2months to sort.
Just got a brand new 73 plate Peugeot 2008 facelift model. Had it a month and clocked up a 1000 miles. All good so far. New to the brand and enjoying the car. Feels well built and looks well finished. Drives well and has some onboard great tech. Very good looking too.
Hi there Rich, thank you for sharing your positive experience with your Peugeot 2008 model. This will be very useful for our readers considering their next vehicle choice.
I (have) the Rifter Allure that has given me nothing but trouble since I got it. Within a year (19000mls) the AdBlue had crystallised and whole component needed replacing. Fortunately it was still under warranty so Peugeot repaired it for me but within a year and a half I had another fault with the AdBlue that cost a fortune (£700) to repair. It is a work vehicle and while it looks good it is not fit for purpose. Last week (70000) whilst driving it stopped completely with a system breaking fault. I had to be recovered from the roadside and had a good local mechanic have a look and it’s gone from bad to worse – complete engine failure. I can beg borrow and steal £5000 – £7000 to have it changed but it is not a viable option to me right now. It could a few months to be repaired and all the while I’m losing my income. Peugeot of course will not even make a contribution towards repair but (un)fortunately it’s with finance and as per my agreement – having paid off more than 50% I can return the vehicle. Most finance agreements include fair wear and tear so I was very dubious about returning if they were going to charge me at a later date for an engine (in which case I would have held on to it) but having spoken to an advisor yesterday I have been assured I pay recovery of the vehicle and final month (plus any interest due) and they send it to auction as is which makes me suspicious that they are aware of the problems facing this make/model especially since this model is no longer being manufactured and as far I am aware it is a relatively new model. My car is 69 plate. This car has absolutely ruined me and the total indifference from Peugeot has made up my mind that I will never buy a Peugeot again. Ever. Which is a shame as I have mostly had Peugeot which were so reliable and why I went with them for my work vehicle. I am so angry/upset/disappointed with Peugeot. They do not care about the devastation they have caused me.
Hi there Andrea, thank you for your query. It sounds like you’ve had a frustrating experience with your Peugeot Rifter Allure. It’s disappointing when a vehicle doesn’t live up to expectations, especially when it’s essential for work purposes. If you’re considering returning the vehicle, it’s essential to understand your rights under the finance agreement and ensure you’re not held responsible for any future repair costs. While your experience has been negative, it’s worth noting that reliability can vary even within the same brand and model. If you decide to explore other vehicle options in the future, our team of Vehicle Specialists are here to help. Get in touch on 01903 255000.
Do they build one car a month 7 .months no build hmmm