Used buying checklist
Peugeot 207 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Peugeot 207 looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 28.7% of 215,706 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 28.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 82,102 miles
- 61,853 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (27.2 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, and ball joint has excessive play.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint has excessive play
- of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.
- leaking excessively from engine
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
- emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration
- warning lamp indicates a fault
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
Focus on suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 28.7%, +10.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed215,706 tests
- Median tested mileage82,102 miles
- Failed MOT tests61,853
Should you buy a used Peugeot 207?
71.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 28.7%, +10.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (27.2 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 207, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 30.2% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (27.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (26.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (23.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (23.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 207, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (27.2 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Peugeot 207 mainly involve 6 areas: lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, brakes, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 207, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 28,946 | 22,827 | 20.8%+10.0 percentage points vs all models | 39,846 miles |
| 50-100k | 123,107 | 87,529 | 29.0%+8.3 percentage points vs all models | 76,103 miles |
| 100-150k | 54,330 | 37,609 | 32.1%+5.9 percentage points vs all models | 115,691 miles |
| 150-200k | 7,204 | 5,032 | 32.3%+5.0 percentage points vs all models | 162,845 miles |
| 200k+ | 779 | 547 | 32.5%+5.9 percentage points vs all models | 218,046 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 207, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 30.2% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 30.2% for 15+ years cars, based on 60,219 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
1 | 1 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 5.7 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
3,254 | 2,517 | 22.0%+5.4 percentage points vs all models | 9.7 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
152,232 | 108,455 | 28.2%+4.6 percentage points vs all models | 13.0 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
60,219 | 42,161 | 30.2%+4.3 percentage points vs all models | 15.9 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2016-06-02 | BATTERY MAY DISCHARGE AND/OR HEATED SEATS MAY OVERHEAT On the affected vehicles the electrical harnesses connecting the heated seats may under certain conditions and over time cause the heated seats to either not work or to operate permanently. This may cause the battery to discharge and can be uncomfortable/distracting to the driver. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the two affected harnesses. If necessary the harnesses will be modified. |
|---|---|
| 2012-11-13 | ENGINE MAY FAIL It is possible that the con-rod bearing shells will not conform to manufacturer specification. This could lead to premature deterioration of the shells and in time cause the engine to fail. To replace the con-rod bearing shells |
| 2012-07-16 | STEERING MAY FAIL The track rod end ball joints on the steering rack may not have been torqued to the correct specification. If this is not rectified it could result in steering failure. Recall all affected vehicles and re-torque the track rod end to steering arm joint. |
| 2012-04-27 | ENGINE MAY CUT OUT Incorrect dimensions of the battery earth cable may in the long term lead to its breakage. The loss of the electrical connection may lead to engine cutting out. The battery earth cable is to be replaced. |
| 2011-10-31 | PEDALS MAY BE OBSTRUCTED It is possible that the air conditioning unit air diffuser ducting on the driver's side may detach which could obstruct access to the driver control pedals. Recall all the affected vehicles for the fitment of an additional support part to the air conditioning unit outlet ducting. |
| 2011-03-01 | BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK The rear brake hoses may contact the suspension coil springs. Should this contact occur it is possible over time and distance for the spring to abrade a hole in the hose and for the hose to leak fluid which will illuminate the brake warning lamp and could possibly lead to longer than expected stopping distances. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the positioning of the rear brake hoses and where necessary replace the brake hose/s. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Peugeot 207. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Peugeot reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.