Peugeot

Peugeot is a French automotive manufacturer, initially founded in 1810 as a manufacturer of coffee and bicycles that went on to build internal combustion engine cars from 1890.

How popular is Peugeot in the United Kingdom?

With possibly its strongest model line-up in years, Peugeot is looking to turn around its current dip in vehicle numbers on the UK roads today. After a steady rise over the decade from 1995 to 2005, from 1.1million to 2.1million, the current tally has slowly dropped to a mere 1.8million—a strong total despite the depreciation in numbers.

A mixed range of sensibly priced cars

With 21 standard vehicle models available from the full Peugeot line-up, that’s a lot of choice when buying a car.

Without doubt, it’s their SUV offerings that are leading the way; the innovation and technology applied to these stronger models will hopefully be developed through the rest of the range, bringing them into line with what the buying public expect from their motoring today.

The modern Peugeot: executive styling in the making

Catering for city driving, Peugeot has smaller models available that include the 108 city car and the 208 supermini, next up is the 308 hatchback, and then the majority of the models in today’s line-up is their range of SUVs.

However, the 508 saloon, featuring fastback type styling, has grown into an attractive low-slung 5-door coupé. More cars like this could enhance Peugeot’s positioning away from the mid-stream and into executive status.

The historic and iconic Peugeot 205 GTI

It was in the 1980s when the 205 was introduced and seemed responsible for turning around the success of the company. The supermini model was applauded for its style and handling, which led to sales topping 50k units a year.

In 1984 the GTI was launched with a 1.6-litre engine; soon followed by a 1.9-litre model. The high-performance hatchback set standards in thrill-seeking for younger drivers everywhere.

Could the new range of SUVs be responsible for another similarly styled comeback for the French giant?

Peugeot’s reliability and reputation

Peugeot ranked 24th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. Not the best by any standard, but certainly not the worst available if you’re looking for a trouble-free motoring marque.

Recent Peugeot recalls and reliability issues

Various recalls have been made on Peugeot models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

28/04/2019 – Peugeot 5008 (2018)

The wiring harness on the voltage retaining device may have been inadequately tightened

26/04/2019 – Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

Excessive loading of the front suspension could result in loosening and eventual separation of the front wishbone lower ball joints

05/04/2019 – Peugeot Expert, Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

The vehicle’s air-conditioning compressor pulley could break and damage other components

30/03/2019 – Peugeot Expert, Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

The fastening elements on the steering mechanism are inadequate

30/03/2019 – Peugeot Expert, Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

The wishbone mounting brackets on the rear suspension system are incorrectly fixed and can break

08/02/2019 – Peugeot 208 (2018)

The steering column was incorrectly assembled on the shaft of the steering system

04/01/2019 – Peugeot 107 (2005–2013)

It is possible that the blue that adheres the windowpane to the rear door could come loose

07/12/2018 – Peugeot 5008 (2018)

The wheel fastening nuts may have been insufficiently tightened

All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.