Faults:

The chassis had split right across from the drivers side, which needed urgent attention.

The clutch went just under a week before I was due to sell it.

I blew the radiator pipes by pushing it too hard.

General Comments:

For a 1.4, it's surprisingly quick. I have a 106 Quiksilver now, and that's not even close in terms of power.

The interior was obviously dated, but it is nearly 14 years old. Very well put together though...

Peugeot's are well known for providing eager, revvy engines and the 205 was no different. The power delivery wasn't very smooth, but it certainly went if you were overzealous with the gas pedal!

In short, it cost me quite a bit to fix as the previous owner didn't take much care of it... but it's a remarkable car. I went for the 106 afterwards, and that's been the icon of reliability!

Faults:

Head gasket, failed valve seal, new exhaust, lots of oil leaks from sump and oil temp sensor, clutch, blocked carb, snapped speedo cable.

General Comments:

For the money this car is great. 1.4 twin choke TU3S engine, 0-60 approx 9.5, top speed 118mph. Best first car ever!

Handles well. Doesn't like any more than 15" rims put on it, as they rub!

Performs so much better with an induction kit; they smooth the flat spots.

Beats all your lil' Novas, XR2s, Saxo VTRs.

Nice interior, pin strip with red stripes on the trim. Very similar to the GTI.

They with stand rust very well, so avoid XSs with rust!

Look after your engine, and it will look after you!!

Recommended for a first time buyer!

Faults:

Front shock mounts had lifted slightly - this can be cured by getting a 3mm thick one and a half inch washer machined to fit under the metal collar to take up the play. About £5-10 the pair instead of £32 per kit and needing to dis-assemble the unit. Can be fitted with car still on the road. Doesn't affect handling at all.

Clutch is badly worn - but I don't know how long it has been in there.

Thermo-switch for radiator fans has failed - temporarily bridged by 2 core cable and a manual switch on the centre console.

Noisy heater fan - easily removed and disassembled/cleaned. Brushes only worn over half their area so turned them upside down.

Steering rack damper section failed after hitting a pothole - new rack was quite expensive at £80 exchange.

Eats front drive-shaft gaiters - car has had 5 drive-shafts (not all one side) in the last 6 years. (Known as car bought from friend and had a stack of bills with it too).

General Comments:

Ultra reliable - only let me down once when the alternator belt failed.

Normal mixed driving, most runs under 2 miles or over 10 gets me about 58 mpg. Never seen less than 50 and long motorway cruise at 60 has seen 70+ mpg.

Ventilation is poor and noisy with the fan at standstill/low speed, but is good at high speed and the heater is good.

Tilting glass sunroof can leak, but this can be cured while leaving it usable with a couple of pounds worth of p-section draught excluder strip placed around the rubber seal (not on the glass).

Seats are supportive and comfortable up to about 200 miles, beyond that I get a little stiff.

Handling is very stable yet nimble, though hard cornering does scuff the front tyres a lot.

Doesn't complain at being loaded with 5 people and luggage, though it does struggle to give much performance then.

Don't like the temperamental bottom quarter of the fuel guage - it tells you empty when there is still a good 1 or 2 gallons left in there.