Ignition coil pack
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light
Fix: Replace coil pack
€60–200
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Peugeot 205
1983–1998
1
engines covered
6
known faults
3,307
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
1
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Peugeot 205 was built from 1983 to 1998.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 6 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is AL4 solenoids / pressure regulator: it usually appears at 80,000–180,000 km and costs €300–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (19.9 %), brakes (10.7 %), suspension (7.0 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 10W-40 · PSA B71 2296 / B71 2300 · ~3.25 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5)
Thermostat housing / coolant leaks
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating
Fix: Replace housing / hoses
€80–250
Idle control valve / throttle body
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Hunting idle, stalling
Fix: Clean or replace
€60–200
Head gasket (1.6 16v, overheating)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
engine codes: NFU, NFV, NFZ, NFX, NFS, NFR
Signs: Coolant loss, white smoke
Fix: Replace head gasket
€400–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
AL4 / AT8 (4-speed automatic)
AL4 solenoids / pressure regulator
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
Signs: Gearbox warning, stuck in 3rd, harsh shifts
Fix: Replace solenoids / pressure sensor; fluid change
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 3,307 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 13.0 % | 10.7 % | 14.5 % | 16.0 % |
| Suspension | 9.4 % | 7.0 % | 9.9 % | 13.6 % |
| Steering | 2.9 % | 2.9 % | 3.6 % | 3.6 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 1.8 % | 2.8 % | 2.8 % | 2.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 20.0 % | 19.9 % | 24.8 % | 26.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 5.9 % | 5.8 % | 8.8 % | 10.7 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 6.8 % | 5.7 % | 6.1 % | 6.4 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,340 cars.
| age (years) | 20+ |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 8.0 % |
| Suspension | 3.4 % |
| Steering | 4.2 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 12.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 4.8 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (1). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Possibility of loss of brake servo assistance01/02/2000 · R/2000/004
Common questions
Does the Peugeot 205 have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5): belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.
What are the known problems with the Peugeot 205?
The faults with the highest risk: AL4 solenoids / pressure regulator (80,000–180,000 km, €300–1,500); clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900); ignition coil pack (80,000–160,000 km, €60–200). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Peugeot 205 most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (19.9 %), brakes (10.7 %), suspension (7.0 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, body and corrosion.
What should you check when buying a used Peugeot 205?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (1 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: gearbox warning, stuck in 3rd, harsh shifts; slipping, high bite point. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Peugeot 106 1991–2003Peugeot 107 / 108 2005–2021Peugeot 206 1998–2012Peugeot 206+ / 206 SW 2002–2012Peugeot 207 2006–2014Peugeot 208 I 2012–2019Peugeot 2008 I 2013–2019Peugeot 208 II 2019–Peugeot 2008 II 2019–Peugeot 301 2012–2017Peugeot 307 2001–2008Peugeot 308 I 2007–2013Peugeot 308 SW / RCZ 2008–2015Peugeot 308 II 2013–2021Peugeot 308 III 2021–Peugeot 3008 I 2009–2016Peugeot 3008 II 2016–2023Peugeot 5008 I 2009–2017Peugeot 5008 II 2017–Peugeot 406 1995–2004Peugeot 407 2004–2011Peugeot 508 I 2010–2018Peugeot 508 II 2018–Peugeot 607 1999–2010Peugeot 807 2002–2014Peugeot 4007 2007–2012Peugeot 4008 2012–2017Peugeot 306 1993–2002Peugeot 3008 III 2023–
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Citroën Berlingo I 1996–2011Citroën Xsara 1997–2006Peugeot Partner I 1996–2008Citroën Saxo 1996–2004Citroën ZX 1991–1998
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026