Why some PSA engines score below 68/100
PSA's reliability story is a tale of two partnerships. The BMW-PSA Prince engine (EP6/THP) and the in-house PureTech wet-belt family together account for the vast majority of Peugeot, Citroën, and DS reliability complaints from 2007 onwards.
The pattern
PSA's reliability collapse traces to two engineering decisions: the BMW-PSA Prince joint venture (the EP6/THP) and the wet-timing-belt PureTech family. Together they cover roughly a decade of Peugeot, Citroën, and DS production from 2007 onwards. The wet-belt engines are the bigger problem because the failure mode is catastrophic and the only fix is preventive replacement at 60.000–80.000 km — which most owners don't do. On the diesel side, the 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5) adds a thin camshaft chain that can break on engines built until January 2023 — check the recall was done.
EP6DT/EP6DTS THP · N14 (Prince turbo, gen 1) — 40/100 (AVOID)
1.6L Turbo I4
Found in: 308, Cooper, Mini
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing chain stretch and hydraulic tensioner failure — chain can jump | critical | €2.650 | 40.000 km |
| High oil consumption — piston rings, valve stem seals, crankcase breather | high | N/A | N/A |
| High-pressure fuel pump failure (THP) | high | €1.200 | 70.000 km |
| Electric auxiliary turbo coolant pump can overheat - recall (MINI) | minor | N/A | N/A |
| Thermostat housing and water pump coolant leaks | minor | N/A | N/A |
Full EP6DT/EP6DTS THP · N14 (Prince turbo, gen 1) reliability report →
DT17 2.7 HDi V6 — 44/100 (AVOID)
2.7 HDi V6 (UHZ)
Found in: 607
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crankshaft or main-bearing failure (engine seizes) | critical | €10.400 | 140.000 km |
| Timing belt drive failure: tensioners, oil-pump casing and cam chains | high | N/A | N/A |
| Turbocharger failure (twin turbos) | high | €3.500 | N/A |
| EGR valve sooting | moderate | N/A | N/A |
| Plastic coolant and thermostat housings leak or burst | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full DT17 2.7 HDi V6 reliability report →
PureTech 1.2T wet belt (EB2DT/EB2DTS/EB2ADT/EB2ADTD/EB2ADTS/EB2ADTX) — 45/100 (AVOID)
1.2L Turbo I3
Found in: 2008, 2008 1.2 PureTech, 208, 208 1.2 PureTech, 3008, 3008 1.2 PureTech, 308, 308 1.2 PureTech
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet timing belt degradation - debris starves the engine of oil | critical | €10.000 | 45.000 km |
| Excess oil consumption (rings worn by belt debris and fuel dilution) | high | N/A | 50.000 km |
| Brake vacuum pump clogged by belt debris - loss of brake assistance (recall) | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full PureTech 1.2T wet belt (EB2DT/EB2DTS/EB2ADT/EB2ADTD/EB2ADTS/EB2ADTX) reliability report →
DV5 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5R/DV5RC/DV5RD, Opel F15DT) — 54/100 (CAUTION)
1.5L Diesel I4
Found in: 2008, 2008 1.6 BlueHDi, 208, 3008, 3008 1.5 BlueHDi, 308, 308 1.6 BlueHDi, 5008
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camshaft chain stretch or break (7 mm chain, built Oct 2017 - Jan 2023) | critical | €8.500 | 50.000 km |
| AdBlue tank, pump and injector faults | high | €1.800 | 60.000 km |
| DPF and EGR clogging in short-trip use | moderate | €2.200 | 70.000 km |
| High-pressure fuel pump seizure with metal contamination | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full DV5 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5R/DV5RC/DV5RD, Opel F15DT) reliability report →
DV6ATED4/DV6TED4 1.6 HDi 16v — 59/100 (CAUTION)
1.6L Diesel I4 (16v)
Found in: 2, 207, 3, 307, 308, 407, 5008, C3
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| DPF blockage — city driving | high | €1.200 | 60.000 km |
| Injector copper-seal leak — soot into the oil ("black death") | high | N/A | N/A |
| Turbo failure from carbon-blocked oil feed and pickup strainer | high | N/A | 113.000 km |
Full DV6ATED4/DV6TED4 1.6 HDi 16v reliability report →
PureTech 1.0 (EB0) — 60/100 (CAUTION)
1.0L NA I3
Found in: 208, 208 1.0 PureTech, C3
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet timing belt breaks up - oil starvation and engine damage | critical | €5.000 | 60.000 km |
| Excessive oil consumption | high | N/A | 40.000 km |
Full PureTech 1.0 (EB0) reliability report →
PureTech 1.2 NA (EB2/EB2F/EB2FA/EB2FAD/EB2M) — 60/100 (CAUTION)
1.2L NA I3
Found in: 108, 2008, 208, 308, C1, C3, C3 1.0 PureTech, C3 Aircross
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet timing belt degradation (NA engine) | high | €4.500 | 50.000 km |
| Excess oil consumption with age | moderate | €2.500 | 70.000 km |
| Oil-cooling nozzle defect - fire risk recall (2022-2024 builds) | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full PureTech 1.2 NA (EB2/EB2F/EB2FA/EB2FAD/EB2M) reliability report →
What to buy instead
Not all PSA engines are problematic. These score well:
- EW10 2.0 — 93/100 (BEST)
- DW8 1.9D — 89/100 (BEST)
- EW7 1.8 — 84/100 (BUY)
- XU10 2.0 — 84/100 (BUY)
Generated from EngineScope's reliability database. Reviewed by the editorial team. Methodology →