Peugeot 308: BSI body-computer water ingress in the passenger footwell
BSI body-computer water ingress in the passenger footwell is a common electrical fault on the Peugeot 308 on the 2008–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 26 documented faults on the Peugeot 308.
- Vehicle
- Peugeot 308
- Years
- 2008–2013
- System
- Electrical
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The 308's BSI body computer sits in the passenger footwell, directly in the path of water when the scuttle drains or a sunroof drain block. Water then causes erratic electrical behaviour, from central-locking and lighting faults to logged BSI errors and, at worst, a car that will not wake up. Damp carpets are the warning sign. NZ MOT/reliability data shows these cars are heavy on lights-and-electrics faults.
What you would notice
- Damp passenger footwell / musty smell
- Central locking, lights or indicators playing up
- Random warning lights or BSI fault messages
- Occasional no-wake / flat-battery drains
How to check it
Where to look. BSI in the passenger footwell; scuttle and sunroof drains
Press on the passenger carpet and lift the mat to feel for damp.
Check the scuttle drains and, if fitted, sunroof drains are clear.
Test locks, lights and indicators repeatedly.
Any dampness plus electrical oddities points to the BSI.
What it costs to put right
$400 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Have the footwells ever been damp?”
- “Any electrical gremlins or warning lights?”
- “Has the BSI ever been replaced or dried out?”
Now check the Peugeot 308 you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- ProPeugeotSpares - 'Peugeot 308 problems' (BSI in footwell / water)
- Peugeot Forums - 'BSI problem' thread
Peugeot 308 buyer questions
Is bsi body-computer water ingress in the passenger footwell serious on a Peugeot 308?
We rate it major and common on the Peugeot 308. The 308's BSI body computer sits in the passenger footwell, directly in the path of water when the scuttle drains or a sunroof drain block. Water then causes erratic electrical behaviour, from central-locking and lighting faults to logged BSI errors and, at worst, a car that will not wake up. Damp carpets are the warning sign. NZ MOT/reliability data shows these cars are heavy on lights-and-electrics faults.
How much does it cost to fix on a Peugeot 308?
$400 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Peugeot 308 years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2008–2013 Peugeot 308. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Press on the passenger carpet and lift the mat to feel for damp. Check the scuttle drains and, if fitted, sunroof drains are clear. Test locks, lights and indicators repeatedly. Any dampness plus electrical oddities points to the BSI. Look here: BSI in the passenger footwell; scuttle and sunroof drains