Peugeot 306 Hatchback (1993 - 2001) 1.4 L 5d Owner Review
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In their own words
As a summary, I would recommend this car highly. But please check these main points:
- Rust/Corrosion around sunroof on sunroof models. It can be a costly repair and it can also be difficult to find someone willing to tackle the issue.
- Rust/Corrosion around the inner left rear arch and seatbelt anchorage point. I encountered this and it took me and my friend 2 full days alone to weld and prevent future rot. Also, purchasing the aftermarket left rear arch with the aftermarket liner that AutoDoc produce.
Then it’s just the more common sense points to check (as you would with any car), such as; timing belt, services, MOT history and the likes.
Other than what I’ve warned readers of this review to consider, the 306 is a very good car. Great handling, peppy engines (even my 1,360cc petrol is good), good economy, a proven reliability (the engines in the 306 were produced even after the turn of 2020) and they get plenty of looks from people who see it. A great pinnacle of Peugeots success and it’s a timeless design, it doesn’t look like it started development over 30 years ago. Would thoroughly recommend one, surely an appreciating future classic and a make very good daily retro rides.
How reliable do you find the car?
The sunroof models do rust quite badly around the sunroof due the the weakening of the metal when inserting the sunroof hole. Also, the inner left rear arch suffers horrific rot, most specs came without plastic liners and it can cause catastrophic rot around the rear left seatbelt anchorage.
Luckily, mine was in the early stages of corrosion. So the rot was cut out along with comprehensive efforts to future proof. If you get a 306, please check those before purchase and if it’s okay, buy a liner. My aftermarket liner cost £13 from AutoDoc.
Does the car do everything you expected it to do?
Mine is the first run of the 306’s in 1993, so as an XL specification, it doesn’t have PAS or ABS. But it’s soon overcome as you get used to the car. I see it as it’s less to go wrong, it also helps economy and I can achieve an easy 42.5 mpg and perhaps a bit more due to the low ratios of the gears. I can be in 4th gear by 18MPH and 5th gear by 32MPH without the car juddering for more speed.
About their car
- Fuel type Petrol
- When purchased May 2022
- Condition when bought Used
- Current Mileage 86,000 miles
- Average MPG 42 mpg
