2001 Peugeot 206 LXD review from UK and Ireland

Bought the car with 30 days to find a problem, and the first one within 25 days of that was the rear brake shoes; the left/rear passenger side had kinda popped off inside the drum (this being possibly to the fact that the right side had been changed and the left had been run bare). It was like the handbrake being left on, on one side.

I took it back, and all they did was put it back together and say it was the hand brake cable that was snagged, which kinda voided my warranty as I didn't really have that problem, but was convinced it may have been the shoes. But shortly after that, say like the 32nd day, the rear passenger side brake cylinder was leaking out brake fluid (noticed by the pedal going all the way to the floor and just stopping me). That was fixed by myself.

Next problem recently about 71k is the clutch and gearbox. That now with the problems of the speakers not working makes me think I've been either sold a dodgy car or the french (Peegeot) can't make cars???

Reading up on stuff like this, I've noticed that for all Peugeot cars it's just your luck on which car you get. They recalled 40,000 206's back in 2000 because of the airbags inflating themselves... (a big and dangerous problem) but I still like Peugeots to the fact they are nice to drive (mainly when new), nice looking, and if kept well have extremely good fuel consumption (but I'm sure the price of a gearbox and clutch at £340 adds to the fuel costs somewhere).

The other upsetting thing (for the diesels)

is the amount of gearbox and part models there are; you really got to know what part you're looking for.

Example: 2 types of brake shoes; the Bosch ones for the 180mm drum diameter and others for the 203mm drum.

And the amount of different gearboxes; be1, be4 etc (why do they need so many different models?)

But some say you get 80mpg from your 1.9; realistically you should get at least 40, but usually 50, 55 is the thing that this car should be able to achieve.

The tax is £63 for 6 months, so that's another good thing.

The price of the gearbox and clutch to get done for me was £340.

The brake cylinder was £10, shoes £18.

All I can say is check eBay for your parts, and if you can find someone to do it cheaper or do it yourself, this car can be cheap to run...

Put it this way, I got quoted 200 for the timing belt to get done. I bought it for £46 off eBay and did it myself (there are people who will do this job for as little as £40). £96 is better that 200 any day.

The car is good, but biggest piece of advice to anyone going to buy, is to give it a really good test drive first. Or if it's under warranty, get someone (a mechanic??) to check the car for noises, stiffness problems etc. And if there is anything, TAKE THE THING BACK! And buy a Ford LOL.