The Peugeot 505 is a compact car built from 1981 to 2026 over 4 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 505 is
The Peugeot 505 is a compact car that Peugeot built from 1981 to 2026 — 46 model years. Our measurements put it at 4 generations, the current one starting in 1988. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V6 power. Its closest sibling in the Peugeot range: 405.
505 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 505's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 505 that gives 4 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980-1984 | 471 cm | 276 cm | - | - | - |
| 1985-1986 | 490 cm | 282 cm | 1426 kg | +19 cm | - |
| 1987 | 474 cm | 274 cm | 1300 kg | -16 cm | -126 kg |
| 1988 | 490 cm | 282 cm | 1383 kg | +16 cm | +83 kg |
Peugeot 505 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 505 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Peugeot 505 have? Power & range
The Peugeot 505 is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.9L 6-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Peugeot 505, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.9L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 505 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Peugeot 505. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 505 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 10 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 6 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Peugeot 505?
The 505 is a compact car, built from 1981 to 2026 across 4 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6.
How many generations does the 505 have?
4 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1988. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Peugeot 505 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 505 reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 505?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Peugeot
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 405 | 1984–2026 | 13 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |