Before you buy a used Peugeot 207.

Look out for: Chain rattle on cold starts, unstable idle, stalling and an engine light with variable valve timing codes (P1030, P1062, P101A, P1025).

Ask them to check: Listen to a cold start and check the timing and chain condition before replacing Valvetronic parts or repeating adaptations.

Look out for: [1.4 VTi/1.6 VTi] Engine warning light on; [1.4 VTi/1.6 VTi] Hard starting; [1.4 VTi/1.6 VTi] Engine warning light on (until the end of production); [1.4 VTi/1.6 VTi] Coolant level drops; Coolant leak (up to 01/10/2012); Oil leak; Engine noise; Intermittent excessive oil consumption (over 0.25 l per 1,000 km) (up to 01/04/2013); Coolant temperature light (up to 04/12/2013)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: [1.6 THP] Loss of power; Coolant leak (up to 01/10/2012); Oil leak; Engine noise; Intermittent excessive oil consumption (over 0.25 l per 1,000 km) (up to 01/04/2013); Coolant temperature light (up to 04/12/2013)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: [1.4 HDi] Engine warning light on (up to 28/03/2014); Fuel smell (up to 12/04/2014); Noisy timing (up to 07/06/2014, Euro 5); Loss of power (from 30/05/2012 to the end of production)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: [1.6 HDi 90/92] Jerking and loss of power; Loss of power; Oxidised timing belt; Particulate filter additive leak at the rear (up to 04/05/2008); Injector leaks; [1.6 HDi 112 (2010-2013)] Timing failure (from 01/10/2010 to 25/09/2011); [1.6 HDi 112 (2010-2013)] Jerking (up to April 2013); [1.6 HDi 112 (2010-2013)] Engine warning light on; [1.4/1.6 HDi] Fuel smell (up to 12/04/2014); [1.4/1.6 HDi] Noisy timing (up to 07/06/2014, Euro 5); [1.4/1.6 HDi] Loss of power (from 30/05/2012 to the end of production)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: [5-speed manual] Gearbox noise or even failure on the 1.4 HDi (from 02/01/2006 to 30/11/2007); [5-speed manual] 5th gear will not engage (up to 02/06/2008); [5-speed manual] Release bearing failure (from 01/01/2007 to 31/01/2010); [5-speed manual] Clutch slip (all engines up to 01/09/2010, and the 1.4 HDi from 01/11/2010 to 31/05/2012); [other] 4-speed automatic gearbox faults (from 01/01/2007 to 31/01/2011); [other] Jumps out of 2nd (6-speed manual)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: Front axle noise; ABS/ESP light on; Heavy steering (up to 05/12/2007); Steering column out of adjustment (up to 01/06/2008); Steering warning light on (from 04/01/2010 to 31/01/2013); Knocking at the front right (up to 26/01/2014)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: Manual air conditioning fault (up to 02/12/2007); Air conditioning does not cool (up to 05/12/2007); Multifunction display goes blank

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: Metallic rattle for several seconds after a cold start; engine light for timing deviation.

Ask them to check: Listen to a cold start and check whether the chain was replaced with the revised parts.

Look out for: Loud turbo whistle, power loss, blue or black smoke, oil that gets dirty very quickly. Before the failure, often a puffing or ticking from the cylinder head and an exhaust smell from an injector.

Ask them to check: Check injector bolt torque and carbon at their base, the turbo banjo bolt and the sump strainer.

Look out for: The “Sport” and “Snow” lights flash together or “Gearbox fault” appears; very harsh shifts before the gearbox goes into limp mode in 3rd (only 3rd and reverse). It often happens when cold or after a few minutes' driving and clears after restarting the engine.

Ask them to check: Read the codes with PSA-compatible equipment (Diagbox/Lexia) and log line pressure while driving, especially when cold. Check fluid level and condition and, if changed, use the specified fluid and reset the wear counter. Also check the lever position switch.

Look out for: Water gets in at the front of the roof; Roof stops part-way when closing

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.