2004 Peugeot 307 S review from UK and Ireland

Wiper arm flew off at 60 mph on the M1 when the car was just 3 days old.

Engine compartment undertray fell off.

Passenger electric window switch needed replacing after an estimated 10 uses

Load compartment light bulb blows every few weeks - dealer doesn't know why.

Reverse gear operation on rear wiper has never worked.

Radio intermittently refuses to switch off.

Indicator failure.

Brakes became stiff and the engine started to lose power. Brake servo needed changing.

Plipper button fell out of key.

Battery terminal connection would intermittently break, playing havoc with the central locking.

Horn has gone off of its own accord on three occasions.

Awful car. The only good bit is the engine, which like all Peugeot diesels is smooth, willing, quiet and frugal. 90PS is never going to make a lump of lard like this go like a ball of fire, but it's surprisingly lively with the usual diesel midrange clout. Averages 49 mpg which is 5 mpg more than my previous Focus TD 90PS.

The driving position takes some getting used to, as you feel about a mile from the base of the windscreen. One of my biggest gripes is that it feels huge from behind the wheel, and just like driving an MPV or a small van. Handling is okay, and very competent, but it lacks fun and involvement after a Focus and a 306. It also has awful overlight and numb feeling steering which is inexcuseable as Peugeot have demonstrated for 20 years that they can do better. Oh, and the brakes are stupidly over-servoed. The merest brush on the pedal makes the car stand on its nose.

As for reliability, it's been a disaster. Okay, it's done 31,000 miles in 8 and a bit months, but the Focus managed it, and so did the 306 before it. This thing feels like it's going to be scrapyard material by the time it gets to 100,000 miles. Lots of silly minor problems, and the people in the factory clearly haven't comprehended the simple fact that in order for something to stay together, the nut or screw securing it has to be done up! The wiper falling off after 3 days and the undertray after 3 weeks is inexcusable. Dealers are rude and overpriced too.

The 306 was a much better car.