2009 Peugeot 207 1.6L Diesel · LS09 ODN

The most recent MOT test on 17 March 2025 resulted in a pass, though it was accompanied by three advisories that warrant careful consideration before purchase. The pass itself indicates no immediate roadworthiness failures, but the underlying pattern in the test history shows a vehicle whose condition is gradually worsening rather than improving. The 10 March 2025 test was a clear failure across four major defects, including inoperative position lamps, headlamp aim issues on both sides, and an exhaust emissions test that could not be completed due to significantly excessive smoke. While the position lamp and headlamp defects were rectified within the seven-day window before the re-test passed, the persistent excessive smoke advisory and the underlying emissions problem suggest a mechanical issue that has not been fully addressed. The 2024 test was clean, but the 2025 failures mark a clear deterioration from the previous year. The recorded mileage of 81,332 miles on a 2009 vehicle equates to approximately 4,784 miles per year, which is notably low for a car of this age. The MOT history shows annual tests from 2020 through 2025, and although exact mileages at each test are not recorded, such modest annual usage suggests either predominantly short-trip urban driving or extended periods of standing between uses. Low annual mileage of this nature carries its own mechanical implications; components such as brake discs and calipers can corrode and seize from lack of regular use, the 12-volt battery can suffer premature failure from prolonged standing without sufficient charge cycles, and time-based degradation of brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil can occur regardless of odometer reading. Tyre sidewalls are also susceptible to perishing and cracking from age alone, even where tread depth remains adequate. The recurring advisory for an engine oil leak, first noted in March 2021 and repeated through 2022 and 2023, is a pattern that should not be ignored despite being deemed not excessive on each occasion. Oil leaks on the Peugeot 207 commonly originate from the valve cover gasket, sump gasket, or front crankshaft seal, and even a minor leak can accumulate into a more significant issue over time, potentially leading to oil starvation if left unchecked. During a test drive, listen for any ticking from the top end of the engine on cold start, which can indicate low oil reaching the hydraulic lifters, and inspect the underside of the engine and surrounding components for fresh oil residue or staining. The front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint play noted in 2021 and the noisy front top mounts suggest worn suspension components that may now be further deteriorated; listen for clonking or knocking noises over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, and check for uneven front tyre wear which would confirm deteriorating suspension geometry. The most serious current concern is the excessive exhaust smoke that prevented the emissions test from being completed in March 2025. On the Peugeot 207, particularly with diesel variants, this is commonly attributable to turbocharger failure, injector issues, or worn piston rings, all of which represent substantial repair costs. On a test drive, observe the exhaust output carefully during a cold start and under acceleration, noting whether the smoke is blue, black, or white, as each colour indicates a different mechanical fault. Beyond the documented defects, a buyer should physically inspect all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking, verify the battery holds charge under load, check that the brake discs and calipers are free from corrosion binding, and confirm evidence of recent servicing including fresh brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil given the calendar age of the vehicle. Given the combined concerns of emissions, suspension wear, oil leaks, and the low-mileage standing profile, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent garage would be strongly advisable.