Faults:

Bought the car with several faults:

Locks were broken into.

Mirror switch broken.

Incorrect indicator stalk.

Knocking from o/s/f track rod end.

Sticky/Grinding wheel bearing o/s/f.

Ineffective brakes.

Heavy/creaky clutch action.

Major exhaust leaks.

Rough idle - stalling - hunting.

Barely legal front tyres - illegal spare.

Problems during ownership:

Blew a fuse while fitting head-unit, tripping the alarm, upon replacing the fuse the alarm went off. Thus I don't have an alarm, central-locking or stereo until I get the alarm reset.

Brake caliper o/s/r did not release handbrake properly, fault showed up after M.O.T as I had all pads replaced. Suspect I bought the car with this fault.

Centre pipe started knocking on heat-shield and centre box starter blowing, heat-shield was moved and box welded up.

General Comments:

With most of the faults now ironed out, the car is even more fun to drive than when I bought it, although it can be a pig to drive in traffic.

I bought a 306 for the handling, and that's exactly what I got! With 2 new Goodyears spinning at the back, and the old budget-performance Federals in charge of delivery and turning at the front, it neither over nor under-steers too much and is completely malleable, with a dabble at the brakes on a corner that tightens up, the back end straying slightly. Back on the power and there's often no need for opposite lock, even on a bumpy little b-road.

The standard brakes being Brembo discs all around, they take a little warming up to be at their peak but do not fade, much, and I often find myself easing off the pedal as the pads warm, so as not to lock up! I don't even have heavy boots.

It rattles a lot inside, but I don't mind, it would be better if I had a working stereo to mask it though, and it isn't always practical to use the exhaust note for that purpose.

At 31 mpg (combined) (I get more than this), it can be a little thirsty, and being a group 12 car, my insurance at crusty old 19 years is... Extortionate.

Faults:

Slipping clutch (turned out to be leaking gbox driveshaft oil seal.

Non closing glove box.

Slight misfire on idle (normal according to Garage)

Exhaust rubber perished.

General Comments:

Bought the vehicle knowing it had the faults.

Full Peugeot Service History.

Handles like new.

Power drops off after 5000 revs.

Only paid £745 + £350 (To rectify faults)

Interior is nicer than my Dturbo S.

You can feel the road a bit too much for my liking, but I expect that from a sports hatch.

Faults:

Serious structural corrosion of the rear nearside inner wing. Be warned, this is invisible as it occurs behind a muddy wheelarch and interior trim.

Leak from sunroof into the roof liner that's proved impossible to trace.

General Comments:

Peugeot have often been criticized for poor build quality, certainly the 306 doesn't compare to an Audi or VW, but at 146,000 and ten years old this one runs very nicely without too many squeaks and rattles. Everything works after a hard life, so that's not too bad.

These cars really do handle well, but the price you pay is a harsh ride that's unforgiving on poor road surfaces.

The PSA 1.9 XUD turbo diesel engine is a superb match to this car, nice amount of torque and turbo power. But, especially at this sort of mileage, not as economical as I would expect from this engine.

Bodywork dents easily, but generally doesn't rust unless seriously abused. However the roof gutter holding the door top seal does rot, eventually the car will leak.

Also my car is suffering serious structural corrosion of the rear nearside inner wing, including the seat belt mounting, as a result of Peugeot's bizarre decision not to fit a wheel arch liner (they're fitted to the other three).

Despite looking tidy and passing an MOT, it's unsafe and unroadworthy.

Hopefully I've just been unlucky. But if you're considering buying one of these pay very close attention to inside the rear nearside wheelarch. Put your arm high up and have good poke.