CriticalVery commonEngine

Peugeot 308: PureTech 1.2T Timing Belt Premature Failure

PureTech 1.2T Timing Belt Premature Failure is a very common engine fault on the Peugeot 308 on the 2014–2021 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $900 to $7,000 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
Engine: 1.2L
Years: 2014–2021
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Peugeot 308 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Peugeot 308 faults26 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Timing belt yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The T9-generation 308 with 1.2 PureTech turbocharged engine shares the same belt-in-oil (TBIO) timing belt design as the 208 EB2. The turbocharged variant runs at higher oil temperatures, which accelerates belt degradation. Documented failures have occurred from as low as 50,000 km. Peugeot revised the belt material and tensioner from approximately 2018, but pre-revision cars remain at high risk. Catastrophic belt failure destroys the engine. This is one of the most widely reported mechanical issues on the T9 308.

What you would notice

Sudden complete engine failure while driving
Loud metallic bang followed by engine cutting out
Loss of power accompanied by engine warning light
Rattling or slapping from timing cover at idle
Elevated oil consumption before failure

How to check it

Where to look. Timing belt inside cam cover, front of engine

Confirm timing belt service history — any car without documented replacement within Peugeot's revised interval (40,000 km or 2 years on pre-2018 cars) is high risk.
Check timing cover for oil seepage.
Request full service records.
If a workshop inspection is possible: A pre-purchase compression test helps rule out pre-existing valve damage.

Parts involved: Timing belt.

What it costs to put right

$900 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the timing belt been replaced and what part number was fitted?”
“When was the last oil service and what is current oil consumption?”
“Has the car been diagnosed by a Peugeot dealer or French-car specialist?”

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.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Peugeot 308 buyer questions

Is puretech 1.2t timing belt premature failure serious on a Peugeot 308?

We rate it critical and very common on the Peugeot 308. The T9-generation 308 with 1.2 PureTech turbocharged engine shares the same belt-in-oil (TBIO) timing belt design as the 208 EB2. The turbocharged variant runs at higher oil temperatures, which accelerates belt degradation. Documented failures have occurred from as low as 50,000 km. Peugeot revised the belt material and tensioner from approximately 2018, but pre-revision cars remain at high risk. Catastrophic belt failure destroys the engine. This is one of the most widely reported mechanical issues on the T9 308.

How much does it cost to fix on a Peugeot 308?

$900 to $7,000 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 2014–2021 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?

Confirm timing belt service history — any car without documented replacement within Peugeot's revised interval (40,000 km or 2 years on pre-2018 cars) is high risk. Check timing cover for oil seepage. Request full service records. If a workshop inspection is possible: A pre-purchase compression test helps rule out pre-existing valve damage. Look here: Timing belt inside cam cover, front of engine