The Peugeot 207 (WA generation for the 5-door sedan, WC for the 3-door) had the challenging task of succeeding the immensely successful 206. Launched in 2006, it marked a clear move upmarket: significantly improved finish, careful soundproofing, and high-level passive safety (5 Euro NCAP stars). In return, it suffered from significant weight inflation (often over 1,200 kg), which penalized entry-level engines and smoothed out the playful character typical of older Peugeots in favor of a more refined and reassuring demeanor. This report focuses on Phase 1 (before the mid-2009 facelift), a period marked by the transition between the old gasoline engines (TU) and the new engines co-developed with BMW (Prince), as well as the widespread adoption of HDi (DV) diesels.
The Peugeot 207 Phase 1 is a car full of road qualities, but its reliability record is heavily marred by certain engines. If you're looking for a diesel, avoid the 1.6 HDi 110 whose turbo and flywheel failures are ruinous. Without hesitation, prioritize the 1.6 HDi 90, which offers the best performance/reliability compromise, or the modest 1.4 HDi 70 for economical use, provided you scrupulously check the injector seals. For gasoline, the old TU engines (1.4 75hp) are slow but repairable at low cost, while the VTi/THP (Prince) blocks of this generation are to be avoided due to their serious timing chain problems.