Fun French hot hatch with BMW co-developed turbo engine, offering strong performance and decent kit for the money. However, the EP6 THP engine has well-documented reliability issues, particularly the timing chain tensioner which can fail catastrophically between 60,000-100,000 km. Other concerns include high-pressure fuel pump failures, carbon buildup on intake valves, and turbo-related problems. Cars from 2008 onwards have improved cylinder heads and better tensioners. Regular oil changes every 5,000 km and keeping oil at maximum level are critical. Insurance group 26 means higher premiums for young drivers.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€1,100 - €2,200/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€500-850
Risk buffer
€600-1,350
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Timing chain tensioner failure€1,000 - €2,200
Hydraulic tensioner loses pressure overnight causing cold start rattle, chain can skip and destroy engine · more· less
This is the most serious issue with the EP6 THP engine. The hydraulic chain tensioner either gets stuck or its spring weakens over time, allowing the chain to slacken when oil pressure drops overnight. This causes a distinctive rattle for 1-30 seconds on cold start. Typically occurs between 60,000-100,000 km. If ignored, the chain can skip teeth and cause catastrophic valve-to-piston contact, destroying the engine. Timing chain parts cost around €260-350 plus 6 hours labor. Early 2007 cars had cylinder heads prone to shedding alloy flakes into the engine. 2008+ models have improved tensioners and better cylinder heads. Caused by poor oil control and defective tensioner design. BMW and Peugeot covered repairs up to 5 years with partial coverage beyond that, but never issued an official recall.
High-pressure fuel pump failure€450 - €1,200
Camshaft-driven HPFP fails causing rough running, poor starting, and limp mode · more· less
The high-pressure fuel pump on the end of the camshaft is a known weak point on the EP6 THP engine. When it fails, the car will barely run, show rough idle, poor starting, and trigger limp mode. Peugeot dealers quote €650-850 for the part plus €400-500 labor (total €1,050-1,350). Independent garages can do it for €500-800 total. Refurbished pumps available for around €180-250. Mobile mechanics charge as little as €235 total. Peugeot may cover parts under 60,000 km as this is a known issue. The same pump is used across Peugeot 207/208/308, Citroen DS3/DS4, and Mini Cooper S, so BMW dealers may have competitive pricing.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€250 - €600
Direct injection means fuel doesn't clean valves, carbon restricts airflow causing 20-40hp loss · more· less
All direct injection engines suffer from this, but the EP6 THP is particularly bad due to PCV system routing oil vapors into the intake manifold. Because fuel is injected directly into cylinders, it never passes over the intake valves to clean them. Carbon deposits build up, restricting airflow. Symptoms include major power loss (20-40hp), rough idle, and poor throttle response, but OBD diagnostics show everything is normal. One 207 went from 141hp to 162hp after walnut blasting. Professional walnut blasting costs €250-400 at independent shops. Peugeot dealers charge over €1,000. Peugeot issued TSB B1AW0117QA for acetone soak followed by walnut blasting, with extended 5-year warranty on this issue. Recommended every 80,000-100,000 km as preventive maintenance. The 208 GTi has a PCV deletion mod as standard to prevent this.
Turbocharger failure and wastegate issues€800 - €2,000
Exhaust manifold cracks, wastegate actuator sticks from carbon, oil leaks from worn seals · more· less
The twin-scroll turbo has several failure modes. P0299 code (low boost pressure) is very common, usually caused by wastegate actuator sticking or wastegate pressure valve under inlet manifold failing. Actuator sticks from gentle driving and carbon buildup. Exhaust manifold cracks between twin scroll geometry after 60,000-80,000 km due to brittle material and heat cycling. Oil leaks from turbo seals indicate bearing wear and require replacement or rebuild. Turbo parts cost €400-600, reconditioned units €600-1,000, new OEM €1,000-1,400. Labor is 3-4 hours (€300-500). Actuator-only repair at specialist costs €500-600, but full turbo replacement can reach €1,800-2,000. Using premium fuel and regular spirited driving helps prevent carbon buildup on actuator. If oil is visible on either side of turbo, it must be repaired immediately to prevent complete failure.
Clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear€500 - €900
High torque and enthusiastic driving wear clutch and DMF faster than standard 207 models · more· less
The GTi's 180-195 lb-ft torque and likelihood of spirited driving means clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear faster than standard models. Symptoms include slipping, juddering, difficulty selecting gears, and rattling from DMF. Local garages quote €500-900 for complete replacement including DMF, clutch kit, slave cylinder, and release bearing. Dealerships charge €750-900. Parts alone (clutch kit + DMF) cost €400-850 depending on brand. The 207 uses smaller 240mm clutch which is cheaper than larger variants. Single-mass flywheel conversion kits available as alternative. Typical lifespan is 80,000-120,000 km depending on driving style. Worn clutch can cause difficulty with gear selection even though gearbox is fine.
ESP/ABS module failure€500 - €1,200
Design flaw in ABS block causes limp mode, requires complete module replacement · more· less
The 207 has a known design flaw in the ESP/ABS module. When it fails, the car enters limp mode with ESP and ABS warning lights on dashboard. Peugeot dealers quoted one owner €4,000 for replacement, causing them to sell the car at auction. Independent specialists charge €500-1,000 for replacement ABS pump, but this is still expensive enough to total some cars. There may have been a recall for this issue - verify with VIN. If buying used, specifically ask if ESP block work has been completed. Failure typically occurs between 60,000-100,000 km.
Alternator failure and battery drain€250 - €600
Alternator fails especially on early models, BSI module stays awake draining battery overnight · more· less
The 207 is known for alternator problems, especially early models. When failing, electronic devices lose power and engine cuts out. Battery and engine management lights appear. New alternator costs €200-400 plus 2-3 hours labor. Check ground points are clean and alternator mounting bolts tight. Parasitic battery drain is also common - the BSI (Body Systems Interface) should go to sleep 30-60 minutes after ignition off, but faulty BSI stays awake keeping computers active and draining battery within 2-3 days. Water ingress in plenum chamber can cause wiring harness corrosion leading to shorts. If battery drains despite new alternator and battery, suspect BSI fault or water damage to wiring. A good charged battery should hold 12.5V overnight and show 14.4V when charging.
Water pump and thermostat housing leaks€400 - €800
Plastic housing and bypass tube become brittle, O-rings fail causing coolant leaks · more· less
The EP6 engine's water pump and thermostat housing use plastic components that become brittle with age. By 120,000 km, the bypass tube connecting thermostat to water pump often cracks or O-rings fail, causing coolant leaks. Symptoms include coolant warning light, overheating, white residue around pump area, and poor cabin heating. Parts cost €150-300 but labor is expensive (3.5-4.5 hours at €60-100/hour) due to tight access in engine bay. Total cost €400-600 at independent garages, €600-800 at dealers. Special tools exist but are useless due to tight space - long nose pliers work better. Similar job on comparable engines (Audi 2.0 TFSI, Mini) runs €700-900. Replace coolant at same time. Check for sweet smell or steam from engine bay.
Dashboard LCD display failure€200 - €600
LCD screen becomes dim, pixelated or fails completely, only cure is replacement · more· less
The 207's instrument cluster LCD is known to fail. Screen becomes dim, pixelated, or fails completely with missing segments. Sometimes only partial information displays. This is an electronic failure rather than software issue. Repair is not economical - replacement instrument cluster required. Used clusters from breakers cost €100-200 but may need reprogramming. New clusters from Peugeot cost €400-600 plus fitting. Some specialists offer LCD repair service for €200-300. Check all dashboard functions during test drive, especially in bright sunlight (when dim screens are most obvious). Not covered by warranty.
Excessive oil consumption€100 - €300/year
EP6 THP engine consumes 1 liter per 1,000 km by design due to PCV system · more· less
The THP engine consumes oil by design. BMW/PSA consider up to 1 liter per 1,000 km acceptable. Oil vapors are pulled through PCV into turbo intake to be burned, though most ends up on intake valves. Max to min on dipstick is 1.25 liters. Some owners report 750ml per 1,000 miles. Excessive consumption beyond this indicates worn piston rings, valve stem seals, or turbo oil leaks. Check turbo compressor outlet and turbine housing for oil - if present, turbo is leaking and needs service. Clogged PCV valve increases consumption. Critical to keep oil at maximum level at all times and check every 1,000 km. Use quality fully synthetic 5W-30. Budget €100-300 per year for top-ups depending on mileage. Low oil level accelerates timing chain wear and increases risk of catastrophic failure.
High-maintenance hot hatch requiring vigilant ownership
The 207 GTi is fun to drive and offers strong performance, but the EP6 THP engine has multiple expensive failure modes. The timing chain tensioner is the most critical issue and can destroy the engine if ignored. Carbon buildup robs significant power. Oil consumption is high by design. Budget €1,000-2,000 annually for unexpected repairs. Only consider if you can handle potential €2,000+ bills and are committed to meticulous maintenance. 2008+ models are more reliable. Full service history with frequent oil changes is absolutely essential.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete service records with oil changes every 5,000-10,000 km essential. Look for timing chain work, HPFP replacement, carbon cleaning.
Tires
GTi wears 215/45 R17 tires quickly. Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear. Budget €120-180 per tire, replaced every 10,000-15,000 km if driven spiritedly.
Cold start
CRITICAL: Engine must be completely cold. Listen for chain rattle lasting more than 2-3 seconds. Any rattle is a warning sign. Walk away if rattle lasts over 5 seconds.
Body condition
Check for accident damage. Interior trim is fragile - check for missing or damaged parts. These are hard to source.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds. Check for turbo boost, smooth power delivery, no limp mode, no warning lights.
Specific for this vehicle
Cold start timing chain rattle (MOST IMPORTANT)
Start from completely cold. Listen during first 30 seconds. Short rattle (1-2 seconds) acceptable, longer means tensioner failing. Over 5 seconds = walk away immediately. This will destroy the engine.
Check oil level at maximum
Oil should be at max mark. Any lower indicates owner doesn't maintain properly. THP engine requires max oil level at all times. Ask when last topped up.
Test for power loss from carbon buildup
Car should pull strongly from 2,000 rpm. Flat or hesitant power suggests carbon buildup robbing 20-40hp. This is very common and costs €250-600 to fix.
Check for limp mode and warning lights
Drive for 20+ minutes. Watch for EPC light, depollution fault, ESP/ABS lights. Any warning light is serious and expensive. Test all dashboard display functions.
Inspect for coolant leaks
Check ground under car for coolant puddles. Look for white residue around water pump/thermostat housing. Check coolant level and condition. Low coolant = leak.
Verify service history includes timing chain inspection
Any car over 60,000 km should have had timing chain checked. Look for replaced tensioner. If no record, factor €1,000-2,000 into price or walk away.
Check for turbo oil leaks
Remove intake pipe and check for oil in turbo inlet and compressor housing. Any oil = turbo is leaking and needs rebuild/replacement (€800-2,000).
Test clutch operation
Clutch should engage smoothly with no judder, slip, or rattle from DMF. Test bite point - should be consistent. Hard to select gears with engine running = clutch issue.
Verify no outstanding recalls
18 recalls were issued for 207. Use VIN to check with Peugeot dealer. Ask specifically about ESP block recall, battery earth cable, crankshaft machining, brake hoses.
Prefer 2008 or later production
2008+ models have improved cylinder heads and better timing chain tensioners. Early 2007 cars had cylinder heads that shed alloy flakes into engine.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Timing chain tensioner (informal extended warranty)Check coverage with dealer
Carbon buildup TSB B1AW0117QA (5 year warranty)Verify completed
ESP/ABS module design flawCheck with VIN
Battery earth return cable too shortVerify completed
Crankshaft machining defectVerify completed
Con-rod bearing shells out of specVerify completed
Rear brake hoses contact springsVerify completed
Track rod end ball joints incorrect torqueVerify completed
The 207 has 18 documented recalls. Contact Peugeot dealer with VIN to verify all completed. The timing chain and carbon buildup issues were covered under extended warranty (5 years, up to 100,000 km with partial coverage beyond), but were never officially recalled. Ask dealer about coverage status.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on all 207 GTi models
Timing chain extended coverage (5 years)Expired, but check with dealer
Carbon buildup extended coverage (5 years)Expired, but check with dealer
All 207 GTi models (2007-2012) are outside factory warranty. Peugeot and BMW provided extended coverage for timing chain and carbon buildup issues up to 5 years/100,000 km, with 50% coverage beyond that threshold. Check with dealer using VIN if car has documented timing chain or fuel pump failures - there may be goodwill coverage remaining. No aftermarket warranties recommended due to high repair costs and excluded items.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.