Peugeot 407 Saloon (2004 - 2011) 2.0 HDi SE (136bhp) 4d (2005/55) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I like to be a little bit different.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They all thought it was good-looking and very pleasant to be in. But they didn't have to put up with the problems I did!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not in a million years; I am never buying a French marque again.

What are you likely to buy next?

Something a bit simpler and better-made. I wouldn't have another modern turbo-diesel; far too complicated and costly to maintain and repair. Petrol all the way!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,000

When did you buy the car?

January 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

Nope. My own fault as I had suspicions that they were selling overpriced junk to people but stupidly thought I would have no issues taking car back if there were problems. Paid over the odds as the sale price included a 3-month warranty which was pretty much worthless.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Wanted something economic and rugged that would last a few years....

What was the dealer like?

Absolute rubbish from start to finish. Took car back for numerous faults, always reluctant to do anything to help. Had the cheek to say they would put old battery back on car if didn't cure starting fault!!! Initial salesman I dealt with was an arrogant, humourless piece of work. His senior wasn't much better. Avoid them like the plague! Bunch of con-men.

What's it like to drive?

Huge reserves of grip, generally a neutral handling machine that goes where it's pointed. Steering could do with a tad more feel and being a tiny bit quicker, but then I'm used to Alfas that have ultra-quick racks! Ride disappointingly firm on standard 17-inch alloys. Not as refined as I would expect either. Fair amount of tyre roar seeps into cabin, particularly on poor motorway surfaces.

What's it like to park?

Ha ha. A bit of a pain to be honest, sleek profile makes it quite hard to judge where the corners of the car are, but parking sensors as standard helped a great deal!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Oh yes. Tyre pressure sensors, corroded tyre valve eventually led to complete loss of pressure one afternoon and left me stranded until could be recovered. Alloy wheel jammed on because locking wheel nuts no good, had to all be replaced at considerable cost by local tyre outfit. EGR valve malfunctioning leading to jerky running regardless of temperature. Completely faded dashboard screens unable to use to half the functions on the car, again replaced at considerable cost. Broken armrest, had to be superglued down in the finish. Front suspension balljoint that should have been replaced before car was sold to me caused steering lock up at 50mph on motorway slip..very scary! An absolute lemon that doesn't bode well for French build quality!

What's most practical about your car?

Not a lot. Wedge-shaped design means interior isn't as roomy as you'd expect.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Rear parking sensors very useful, due to the wedge-shaped design hard to see all four corners of the car. Don't get me wrong, loved the styling (only good thing about the car to be honest), but was a pain to park!