Peugeot 306 Cabriolet (97 - 03) review

You're likely to come across a lot of high-mileage cars, and some will be in a tatty condition; avoid those that look excessively tired.

The hood is electrically operated so make sure the mechanism works smoothly and easily, and, while you're at it, check the hood for leaks, cuts and general wear. Walk away if the roof or its operation are suspect.

The clutch has a design flaw, and can break if not checked. If it feels too stiff, it probably needs attention. The 306 also has a habit of wearing out suspension bushes more quickly than expected. Camshaft seals and cambelts must be changed every three years or 36,000 miles, so check when it was last done, in case there's an unexpected bill around the corner.

There's a list of recalls on the 306 family as long as your arm, and some are important, so you should make sure they've been carried out. Go to vosa.gov.uk to check what was necessary.