Peugeot 308 Faults
Common problems, known issues, and reliability guide.
Pre-Purchase Buyer's Guide
Expert VerdictThe Peugeot 308 is a hugely popular choice on the UK used market. While it has some well-documented common faults, regular servicing and preventative maintenance mitigate the worst of the issues. Its repairability score of 70/100 reflects the general availability of parts and ease of access for independent mechanics.
What to Look For
- Full service history (crucial for timing chains/belts)
- Smooth gear changes on automatic variants
- Evidence of water ingress in the boot or footwells
- Dashboard warning lights on cold startup
What to Avoid
- Ex-rental or heavily abused examples
- Cars with 'lifetime' gearbox oil that has never been changed
- Specific early-year diesel engines without DPF/EGR history
Variants
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Top Faults Across All 308 Variants
Timing Belt Failure (60,000-Mile Interval)
CriticalThe 308 Mk1 1.6 HDi carries the same strict 60,000-mile belt interval as the 207. Many 308 owners are misled by the larger car into assuming a longer belt life.
EGR Valve Failure
ModerateEGR failure on the 308 HDi causes the familiar symptoms of power loss and rough running. The PSA 1.6 HDi EGR system is well-known for carbon build-up.
DPF Blockage
ModerateDPF blockage on the 308 HDi is a common complaint. Used as a family hatchback on short local journeys, many 308 diesels never get the sustained high-speed running needed for regeneration.