1992 Peugeot 205 GL review from UK and Ireland

Very little.

In its last MOT, it needed only a new brake pipe, new handbrake cable - the mechanic commented on how clean and well preserved it was, especially considering the relatively high mileage.

Parts are cheap and easily available, but if you find one that's been well looked after you shouldn't need many!

This is the perfect first car. I bought it for 470 quid, and am still delighted with it a year later.

It still runs extremely smoothly (averaging 45mpg), and because it's so light (and low-geared), even the 1.1 engine makes it quite nippy around town. By way of comparison, the new 1.1 206, its spiritual successor, is considerably slower 0-60.

Admittedly noise damping technologies have progressed somewhat since the 205 was introduced, and it can be quite noisy on the motorway... though it's more than happy cruising at 85mph (with plenty more "go" left in it), and plants itself on the road very well.

Handling is good, although there's a little too much body roll - but after all, this isn't a performance car, and it makes the ride very supple around town.

The driving position is excellent, and the seats extremely comfortable, even for long journeys.

Economy is excellent - 45mpg is easily achievable, even when driven quite hard.

The only annoyances are a slightly cheap/fragile interior, and having to reach so far down to operate the radio.

Overall, it's a superb car for next to no money. Very high recommended.