Peugeot 206 1.4 - buying advice

[HT281]

Hi,

Sister is looking at replacing her rotten but reliable 1.25 Fiesta with a Pug 206. I haven't looked at it yet due to the weather, but was wondering if anyone here has previous experiences (good or bad) of this model or petrol Peugeots in general and could help me form an unbiased opinion of them.

It's not a car I would buy nor recommend to a friend, but she's got her heart set on it, despite my scepticism. I have done some basic internet research that reveals they suffer from frustrating electrical problems, but not much else.

It's a 2002 MY and has 69k.

I appreciate your feedback.

[BFG TERRANO]

The wife just sold her 02 diesel turbo 1.4. Had it from new and no problems or did it ever fail an mot in its 96000 miles with us. We'd have another.

Look around the rear suspension beam. I'm told they are prone to fail.

[p4cks]

I hope it's cheap. The diesels are quite good although the petrol engines tend to have, or will have at some point in their lives HGF.

[VX5195]

My Mum had a 55 plate Peugeot 206 1.4 in Verve trim, had it for three/four years, from 16,000 miles to 44,000 miles. It never but a foot wrong, and only had a set of Goodyear tyres, Cambelt/Waterpump and servicing.

[HumbleJim]

My MIL has one, it's been great. 15000 miles 55 reg will be for sale end of May.

[HT281]

Thanks for your replies.

Update - the seller kindly drove over to us to view the car.

It looks very straight body-wise, especially for a 2002 year. However when doing the under bonnet checks I couldn't clearly see the coolant level and when I took the cap off to see the condition of the coolant, it had mayonnaise inside the bottle and on the bottom of the cap - clear sign the oil and coolant are mixing.

Seller said he was sure the HG was done with the cam belt, but couldn't produce a receipt to confirm.

Either way, the garage wouldn't have refilled with the old coolant and not cleared out the Hellmanns to finish the job and the head looks undisturbed to me.

Onto the next one, but hopefully another Fiesta or a jap.

[morgrp]

Walk away - 206s are bloody awful anyway

[MondeoMan1981]

Pug 1.4 8v prone to HGF.

Get a 1.4 or 2.0 hdi and you won't regret it.

[Snappy89]

morgrp said:

Walk away - 206s are bloody awful anyway

Excellent....

Anyway, I had a 1.4 petrol that was still running nicely at 130,000 when I sold it on. They're not bad cars at all in my experience.

[P I Staker]

'Mayo' in the coolant can be just due to moisture build up if the car is only used for short runs, although this one sounds like it could have been a bit worse.

Have a good look at the camber on the rear wheels, negative camber is a good sign that the rear axle bearings have gone. Also watch for headgasket oil leaks down the engine block.

[thepeoplespal]

As an owner of a 206 1.4 it is pretty breathless compared to a Fiesta 1.25. The handling & ride isn't too bad as these things go, but I wouldn't go out of my way the to get another if truth be told. Rust doesn't seem to be to much of a problem despite the odd score from the previous keeper.

The offset driving position is a real pain (literally) over longer distances, but should be ok if just normal commuting involved.

[heners54]

P I Staker said:

'Mayo' in the coolant can be just due to moisture build up if the car is only used for short runs, although this one sounds like it could have been a bit worse.

Are you not on about mayo under the oil filler cap? If its in the expansion tank that doesn't sound right at all.

[P I Staker]

heners54 said:

P I Staker said:

'Mayo' in the coolant can be just due to moisture build up if the car is only used for short runs, although this one sounds like it could have been a bit worse.

Are you not on about mayo under the oil filler cap? If its in the expansion tank that doesn't sound right at all.

My apologies I am very tired today.