1997 Peugeot 306 GLX from UK and Ireland - Comments

The gear linkage failed resulting in late night roadside recovery and a week to get the replacement parts (the Peugeot dealership did not even have them in stock).

The electrics in the key failed (very expensive to replace).

Door window electrics were replaced before I owned the car. The mechanic didn't bother to refit the acoustic quilts and the doors are now very noisy when you close them, and rattly in general.

Poor radio reception and the control stalk doesn't work.

The engine has an erratic idling speed and has a habit of repeatedly cutting out when trying to park or waiting at lights etc. (and no, it's not due to my poor driving skills!)

The brakes seized up on one rear wheel - when it was taken to the garage they discovered the handbrake cable casing was also cracked.

Major rust patches have been discovered in numerous places, most notably under the rubber door seals and when lifting up the rear seats. This is appalling for a car that was only built in 1997.

Generally lots of niggling rattles, mainly from doors and sunroof area.

Bits of the interior trim & dashboard panels seem poorly put together.

Front & rear window washers often clogging up.

All these problems have arisen in the space of a few months.

Despite all the above faults, I still love driving my Peugeot and think it is so much better than the newer 206 or 307, etc.

It's a good all rounder, coping well with city driving and prolonged motorway cruising.

However, I have found the Peugeot dealerships to be horrifically expensive to go to if you need work done. Every time I have taken the car in for one problem they somehow always manage to discover something else that needs putting right and the bill ends up being twice what I bargained for.

This, combined with the general unreliability of the car means I won't be buying another Peugeot next time.

Good review and pretty much sums up my experience with my 1998 (S) GLX 1.8. Cracking car spoilt by silly problems and hopeless dealers. I now have a D-Turbo which I service and maintain myself apart from major items which I entrust to a respected independent. I seem to have far fewer problems with this car than with the dealer serviced GLX.

Particularly, your comments on the dealers "finding" additional faults, and their bills always adding up to significantly more than originally suggested is exactly what I found. I did catch them out twice though. The first was when they told me my car had severely worn front brake pads and discs, and that it would be dangerous to drive if I didn't stump up the £140 to replace them. Funny that, as I'd fitted new ones myself just 1,000 miles previously. There were hasty excuses about mixed up paperwork when I suggested they were trying to rip me off.

The second time was when they said the alternator was on its way out, and quoted something utterly ridiculous to replace it (about £250 I think - fully guaranteed, reconditioned "as new" replacements are readily available for less than £100). Due to the cost and the fact I disputed it needed doing, I opted to leave it. A year and 15,000 miles later, the same alternator is still on the car, and is still working perfectly.

I was interested in your comment about the erratic idling speed and stalling

Mine does it as well, stalling when cold, stalling when turning the steering wheel on to full lock, revving up on its own accord, driving along and jerking backward and forward when not pushing the accelerator down. I have been told that it is the automatic choke sticking, but haven't tried that possibility yet.

I'd like to add to my original post - as well as all the above, when I came to sell the car a whole load of accident damage respray work was discovered - wasn't spotted by the 'professional' car inspection I paid for (won't nAAme them), however I'll get no comeback from them as they have liability indemnity. And as the car has depreciated like a rocket in reverse anyway, and dealers everywhere are overflowing with second hand stock, I sold the thing for peanuts. All in all a thoroughly miserable financial experience. I'm seriously considering having the word SUCKER tattooed on my forehead.

I've had my 1.8 GLX for over a year and there was 99,000 miles on the clock. I'm a student and make a weekly round trip of 256 miles from uni to home. This car has been brilliant and has only ever not started once and that was due to snow been piled on the car and causing damp under the bonnet, and even then it only needed a jump start. I've now got 108,777 miles on the clock and the car recently had a service and MOT which it passed with flying colours. The rear brake pads are due to be renewed soon, but besides that the car is working perfectly. I love driving this car, it's the ideal hatchback. It's sound and sturdy and looks pretty sporty inside and out. I've fitted my own cd player, aftermarket speakers and all the electrics are fine. If I had to say anything negative about this car it would be that the front interior light doesn't work when the doors are opened. I would definitely recommend anyone who wants a medium sized car with umph to buy a 306.

The comments about serious rust are interesting. I found the boot was a bit damp in my '97 306. Turns out the inner wing had completely rotted through at the top of the nearside rear wheel arch. The seat belt mounting is completely rotten and after some gentle prodding, there's now a HUGE hole. I think this is fit only for scrap. What's more, this car sailed through it's last MOT; very dangerous and shocking for a car of this age.

I have a R reg 1.6 Peugeot 306 GLX. I have problems from the time I had in that we were unaware that it had a bent MOT, therefore problems gradually occurred. It revs up by itself and jerks about a lot when driving without pressing the accelerator. It will start if it is the first time in morning, but if were to turn it off and then get straight back in, it won't start for at least 20 minutes of being left. Also if you do get it to tick over before leaving it, the revs will go as high as 4000 revs and will not drop.

Spoke to many mechanics, and they have suggested that it could be the idle control valve, so replaced that but no change. Then the breakdown man said it was the crank sensors, so replaced that and still no change. It is so annoying as it's just money going down drain, and the problem is getting worse. Could is be the choke sticking on?

Any suggestions of someone having resolved a similar problem?

Hey peeps, I've got the exact same problem with my 1.4L. I've just bought a £60 new idle speed control valve. When installed it revs to 4,000, so I put the old one back on, waited till it settled down, then unplugged it. It works fine until it's cold and it won't start. It's such an annoying problem. I just want to sell mine and get a d turbo...

I'm gonna check the manifold sensors, purge control valve and the choke.. it seems that everyone's got a million ideas to fix it, but nothing works, it's just wasted money...

It's a brilliant car otherwise, just a shame Peugeot never spotted this problem!!!

I have now sorted his problem with my car being the GLX Peugeot 306 (2 comments up). After trying many things, I found it to be the water temperature management switch. I have changed it and it idles very well and runs better.