1995 Peugeot 306 XTdT review from UK and Ireland

Glowplugs at 90k and again at 150k.

Radiator fans failed at around the 110,000 mile mark.

Brake light switch failed at around the 135,000 mile mark.

Power steering rack started leaking at around the 150,000 mile mark.

Never broken down or failed to start.

Very reliable and very cheap runabout that's great to drive and costs pennies to run.

Good performance from the XUTD engine, and still a very smooth unit even by today's standards. Quite noisy though, particularly on tickover. Gearbox a bit clonky, but works well enough.

Handling excellent, even at this mileage. The XT suspension is quite soft, but even so there's balance and steering feel that no equivalent car made today gets close to, even if grip levels are not that high. Rides beautifully.

Interior cheap looking, but comfortable, and surprisingly quiet on the rattle front. Good seats, reasonable driving position, low-ish noise levels. Good spec for the year - car has electric windows, electric mirrors, power steering and an electric sunroof. It all works too.

After a short spell in a mk3 Golf CL TD (90 bhp), I can report the 306 to be better handling, quieter, smoother, better riding, noticeably quicker, more frugal and more reliable (yes, really)

A well looked after 306 turbo diesel will go on forever if looked after. Service it every 6,000 miles, keep on top of the little things as they go, and it will be as dependable as sunrise and sunset. The car has given me one bill over UKP 100 in five years and nearly 80,000 miles of use and that was for the steering rack. It has never failed to start, never let me down.

If you want cheap, functional transport that is still reasonable to drive, this is so much better than an equivalent aged Escort or Astra. Particularly in diesel form.