Faults:

OK, to start with the Immobiliser system on this car is terrible. For those who don't know, pre-2001 206's don't have the Multiplex system, which means that should you encounter an immobiliser problem, you can get it fixed quite cheaply.

However as my car is a 2001-onwards build it contains this very annoying system where-in the wipers, indicators, alarm, immobiliser, radio control stalk are all built into one big unit, and should anything go wrong i have to replace the whole item at around £200. Forget the days when you can just drop down to your local broker or car dealer and buy an indicator stalk for a tenner. The unit itself is called a COMM 2000,just remember that - you might need it.

This has been a noted and well observed problem with these cars since their initial release. Various 206 owners have experienced problems with haphazard indicator problems which seem to have a mind of their own.

Look at your radio control stalk - if you have a square type and not round then you have the MUX (Multiplex system installed)

Recently on Top Gear the reliability survey showed that Peugeot, not to mention other French car manufactures came bottom of the survey which is no real surprise to me, and this was out of 100's of cars reviewed and tested.

I would like to see Peugeot taking some accountability for all these problems and not just turning their back everytime a customer expresses a concern.

General Comments:

The engine of this car is very responsive, with plenty of torque to push you along quite nicely. It retains its composure on the road quite well.

The ride quality is not too bad either, once you get used to it.

However I don't like the interior build plastics as they look very cheap and nasty.

Other people have mentioned problems with interior rattles, I myself however have not experienced this as of yet so I might just be one of a handfull of lucky owners.

Dealer support is very hit and miss, I would expect this kind of attitude from a small and unexperienced name and not a worldwide automotive manufacturer. Customer support is key to success.

Faults:

Bought the car second hand, as a relatively cheap runaround for my partner. So far nothing big has gone wrong, although we have noticed a surprising number of poor build quality issues.

For a relatively new car the passenger door creaks like a car 10 times its age.

The wiper actually fouls the bodywork due to slop in the linkage (the nuts are all tight, it's just badly built)

It started leaking water into the passenger footwell as the plastic membrane behind the door card had 'unstuck' itself. An easy fix with some duct tape!

The engine also makes a disconcerting 'ticking noise' at low speeds, which sounds like a loose heat shield or similar. It's not the injectors, and it clears as the revs rise, so it's a case of keeping an ear out for it getting any worse.

The gearchange is more notchy than I'd have expected too.

General Comments:

We took the car for a couple of test drives on separate occasions, but it's only after living with the car that we're finding it's shortcomings.

If I'd known how thrown together this car was I'd have never even considering buying one. It's by no means a bad car, just built poorly with cheap materials.

The MPG is not as good as I'd have expected from such a light car.

It goes OK, but the disappointingly rough engine note dissuades the driver from exploring the rev range.

Finally the seating position is dreadful and impossible to find a comfy angle. Once you get it relatively correct you lose the setting as soon as you let someone in the back (it's a 3-door).

We'll be selling it soon and getting something German!