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PEUGEOT 306 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 726 MOT tests from 38 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every PEUGEOT 306 has the same fault.

PEUGEOT 306's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 508/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PEUGEOT 306 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the PEUGEOT 306.

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Check a Peugeot 306 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Peugeot 306 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2001440/999Average90,875 miles1,895 vehicles
Petrol2001478/999Average80,198 miles1,741 vehicles
Diesel2000446/999Average90,426 miles4,224 vehicles
Petrol2000469/999Average79,906 miles4,768 vehicles
Petrol1998524/999Above average83,664 miles2,341 vehicles
Diesel1997539/999Above average98,467 miles2,474 vehicles
Diesel1996589/999Above average112,887 miles844 vehicles
Petrol1996582/999Above average87,801 miles1,241 vehicles

How reliable is the PEUGEOT 306?

Based on 726 MOT tests from 38 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

38

MOT tests

726

Pass rate

73.4%

Median mileage

102,075 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PEUGEOT 306 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 480 out of 999.

Common PEUGEOT 306 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 advisory comments and 19 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 14 advisory comments and 32 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 41 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN HAS DAMAGE TO AN AREA LESS THAN A 10MM CIRCLE WITHIN ZONE 'A' (8.3.1A)

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 advisory comments and 9 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: REAR EXHAUST HAS A MINOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (7.1.2)

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 20 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCESSIVE (7.3.D.3)

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 5 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (7.3.D.3)

PEUGEOT 306 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2001714080%Shock absorber issues, Windscreen damage
1999511176.6%Exhaust, Oil leak
1998510568.6%Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
1997611469.3%Parking brake faults, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used PEUGEOT 306

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

  • Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Buying a PEUGEOT 306?

Common problems tell you what can affect PEUGEOT 306s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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