Walk. It may have been serviced @ 10k, 20k, 30k & 40k or it may never have had the bonnet lifted. If you are really smitten,get the name of the company and give them a call.

I agree - there are plenty of other 308s out there with a full service history, so don't take more of a rsk than you have to.

If you like Peugeots and are set on a 308, then fine; but if you're just looking for something of that size and price, thare are many others (most, actually) that are better. For example, VW Golf for solidity, Toyota Auris for reliablilty, Ford Focus for driver enjoyment, Skoda Octavia for space and value for money.

On a more practical note......

If you particularly like the car, it's possible that you can get a printout of the service history from Peugeot by contacting a local dealer. That will enable you to confirm that the services have been done, and will also be likely to include other work. It will also show which garages carried out the services, and if you are so inclined, you could contact them for more information.

The rest of the back room is right to make the points they have made, but I'm just trying to present the other side of the coin that it's not necessarily doom and gloom. I bought an ex-company car and had to do the same digging for service details, and I subsequently ran it for 8 virtually trouble-free years over 110,000 miles.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll keep looking then.

@ Avant,

Yes, I've been considering other cars, in particular the Focus. It's just that the 308 had the best balance between price/mpg/mileage/trim of those I've seen so far. Golfs are quite a bit more expensive and from what i've seen don't return as good mpg. Haven't seen any Auris' in my price range yet, but will keep an eye out, thanks.

@ OldRoverBoy

Regarding the DMF, don't lots of newer diesels have this? Even the focus and golf?

>> if this sounds plausible

It does, but that's not the same as true.

If it was done by Peugeot, then Peugeot will have a computerised record. Go to a Dealer and grovel. If that doesn't work, then as someone else suggested, call the company.

If you cannot get proof or at least strong indication that its been done, then for safety's sake you need to assume that it has not.

The only reason to consider a car with a challenge is that either there is something particularly spectacular, or the price is great. If its a standard example at a standard price, then as others have said; why bother?

• It may have a mechanical issue
• The first service you have done will cost a fortune since you'll have to assume everything needs doing
• And that includes any belts.
• If it hasn't been serviced, then what else has/ has not been looked after?
• You'll have to answer the same quetions when/if you come to sell it

Unless its a great deal walking away is not as good as running.