Conceived in the late 1980s and launched in Britain in October 1991, the Peugeot 106 has had a longevity that is testament to the simplicity and effectiveness of its design.

It remained in production until 2003 and still holds its value remarkably well. It was the baby of the Peugeot range, conventional and never a testbed for ideas. Engines were generally shared with sister company Citroën and technology tended to be functional.

In the early days entry-level cars made do with 1 litre 45bhp petrol engines and four-speed gearboxes. This engine was eventually killed off and replaced in January 1993 with the larger 1.1 litre 60bhp unit.

Peugeot also spiced up the car’s appeal with the addition of a stripped-out 1.3i Rallye model and a 120bhp GTi version. Both were hailed by many as spiritual successors to the great 205GTi.

The cars were never intended to be that but the two 106 Rallyes — complete with white steel wheel rims and a cabin stripped of everything but the steering wheel and seats — now have cult status.

The 106 underwent a number of facelifts and upgrades during its life, most noticeably in 1996 and again in 2000. Neither did much to affect the basic look of the car. The front became a little sleeker but in profile the shape remained intact. Today the canny used-buyer can pick up a car costing a couple of grand that looks every bit as modern as a newer version costing three times that figure.

On the road the 106 is a neat little mover. Visibility is good, the dashboard is clearly laid out and the car handles well. On the downside some trim looks cheap and flimsy, and on higher-mileage examples seats can wear badly and rattles and squeaks become your constant companion. You’ll also notice the slightly offset pedals, which force you to sit in a rather twisted way when driving. This is not a problem on short journeys but on a long haul it can literally become a pain in the neck.

In common with most of their contemporaries, early 106s lacked the all important power steering. You’ll be lucky to find many cars built before 1999 fitted with it as standard, but if you are tempted by one of the ultra-economical 1.5 litre diesel models then power steering is a must. Diesel engines are heavier than petrol ones, which makes the non-assisted steering unbearably heavy.

Looking through the classifieds will reveal that the majority of used cars are three-door examples. While they lack the practicality of the five-door they cost around £250 less and I reckon they are better looking. Rear seat space is okay for a car of its size but the boot is among the better in its class.

If the idea of a small French classic appeals then the good news is that there are plenty of used 106s for sale. It’s worth looking at, and driving, several examples before deciding which one to buy. That “low mileage, one owner, town car” may seem like a good idea but you’ll often find that a life spent covering short journeys also results in a notchy gearbox, worn suspension and a tight engine.

Cars that have done a bit of motorway cruising are usually all the better for it so don’t get fixated on mileage. The way the car drives is a more critical consideration.

Noise At speed the road and wind noise become quite intrusive, so test the car on a dual carriageway or motorway before you buy

Boot Naturally small boot nevertheless will take luggage for two

Driving position Offset pedals (to the left) can hamper driver comfort

Spare wheel Carried in a metal cradle under the boot, it is often targeted by thieves

Front suspension Prone to heavy wear on front suspension, so listen for creaks when parking or thumps when driving

Automatic Optional three-speed automatic transmission on some models but it was never very popular

Steering Most pre-1999 cars lack power steering and are heavy to manoeuvre at low speeds

Engine oil Fill to about halfway between the low and high readings on the dipstick or you can damage the engine

Front tyre wear This can be very heavy on cars with a diesel engine

Vital statistics

Model Peugeot 106 1.1 litre Zest 2
Engine Four-cylinder, 1122cc
Power 60bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 42mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 15.4sec
Top speed 102mph

The one to buy

Peugeot 106 1.1 litre Zest 2 three-door, 2000 X-reg with 40,000 miles. Pay £3,175 at a dealer with a 12-month warranty, or £2,650 privately


Or for similar money...

2001 51-reg Nissan Micra 1.0 S 3dr
2000 W-reg Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 GLS 3dr
2000 V-reg Citroen Saxo 1.1i SX 3dr
2000 V-reg Ford Ka 1.3i 3dr
1999 V-reg VW Polo 1.4 L 3dr

Values: Peugeot 106 1.1 Zest 2 three-door



Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer