Item: Used Peugeot 307 Estate 2001 - 2009
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Estate

<p dir="ltr">Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.</p>


PEUGEOT

<p>The Peugeot 307 Estate looks handsome, but has few other strengths and some nasty weaknesses</p>


Used Peugeot 307 Estate 2001 - 2009

<p>As long as you stick to the diesel engines, fuel economy is good - the 2.0 HDis return 52mpg overall while the 1.6s offer 56mpg. By comparison, the 1.6 petrol returns 36mpg overall and the 2.0 posts 35mpg, although that's impressive for such an engine.</p>

<p>Diesels need servicing yearly or after 12,000 miles, but petrols stretch intervals to 20,000 miles or two years. The work is simple enough to trust an independent garage with the job, saving money along the way.</p>

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The Peugeot 307 Estate looks handsome, but has few other strengths and some nasty weaknesses

<p>It's simple - go for a diesel. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot">Peugeot</a> makes good diesel engines but wins no prizes for its petrol motors. First came a 2.0 HDi, providing 90bhp or 110bhp. Then, in 2005, Peugeot face-lifted the 307 and introduced 1.6 HDis to replace the 2.0s. The newcomers produced as much power but used less fuel. If you want a petrol engine go for the 1.6 or, better still, the 2.0.</p>

<p>Estate versions of the 307 provide a choice between just two trim levels. Both have a full tally of safety equipment but the higher S models inlcude the alloy wheels and air conditioning missing from the cheaper Style or (post-face-lift) E models.</p>

<p>Buy from independent dealers specialising in estates for the best value, but don't forget that you can also find one or two keenly priced cars on the forecourts of the larger car supermarkets.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

<p>If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.</p>

<p>Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.</p>

<p>There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.</p>

<p>Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.</p>

<p>The good news is that the engines will amass huge mileages with little more than prompt servicing, while the transmissions and suspensions are also tough. But, there are plenty of things to wath out for.</p>

<p>First, check the mileage shown on the odometer is genuine. Early 307s suffered from a software glitch which threw the total recorded out of whack, adding miles the car hadn't actually driven.</p>

<p>Next, check that everything electrical works correctly because problems are widespread. Pay particular attention to the indicator stalks as these can stick and even snap. After that, check for signs of water leaks in the cabin.</p>

<p>As you've probably guessed by now, 307s are poor on reliability, and it's the smaller stuff that plays up with maddening regularity. Small wonder, then, that the What Car? Reliability Index and the JD Power Survey have for years given the 307 a drubbing for its poor reliability.</p>

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<p>Most importantly for an estate, the Peugeot 307 Estate's boot area has a wide opening rear door and a flat floor when you drop the seats. However, although it's big, rivals such as the Skoda Octavia can carry more.</p>

<p>Equipment levels are generous across the range, and the high-roofed cabin is pleasant and airy, so it's very comfy to sit in. However, it's not so great to drive, the manual gearshift can feel notchy, and the ride is average.</p>

<p>Once you're on the move, the wind and road noise can become distracting at speed, although engine noise is well suppressed. The diesel engines themselves are fine, but the petrols are no better than so-so for power and economy, while the 1.4 is too puny.</p>

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Used Peugeot 307 Estate 2001 - 2009 review

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Advice for buyers

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