1993 Peugeot 205 GL review from UK and Ireland

The car had an overheating problem due to the fact that the radiator fan motor burnt out. Replaced for £14 (second hand)

Drivers side brake caliper seized, costing £120 to repair.

An electronic fault caused the rear windscreen wiper motor to catch fire on one journey; I had to call out the breakdown services. Replacement cost £12 (second hand).

The alternator failed, I found out 90 miles later when the car started misfiring and eventually ground to a halt. Replaced for £70.

A fun little car which starts first time, every time.

As I am a poor student, I do not have enough money to keep a large or powerful car on the road. My 205 is cheap on insurance, and if driven carefully will reward me with 45+ mpg.

This car seems built for comfort; the seats are like armchairs as you sink into them and the shock absorbers are very soft. However a disadvantage is that the car leans very far when it goes around corners; also with 3 or more passengers, the car sits very low to the ground.

Acceleration is dismal, and 0 - 60 takes at least 19 seconds if you're lucky. But the engine sounds great, like no other 1.1 I have ever heard. One passenger commented that it sounds like a tank due to the deep roar it emits at high revs.

I would recommend this car as a first car or a cheap run-around.

The fact that there are so many 205s still on the road, shows how reliable they are, and parts are plentiful and fairly cheap.