Used Peugeot 308 Radiator

The 308 runs across two main generations: Mk1 from 2007 to 2013 and Mk2 from 2013 onwards, with the Mk2 receiving a facelift around 2017. Radiators from the Mk1 and Mk2 are not the same, so always make sure the part you are buying matches your generation. Within each generation, fitment depends primarily on engine code, so supply that alongside your registration when asking a breaker for a quote.

A 2012 308 is a Mk1 and a 2014 308 is a Mk2, so these sit either side of the 2013 generation change and the radiators are unlikely to be a straight swap. Even if the engine type looks similar on paper, cooling system layouts changed between the generations. Confirm compatibility with the breaker by giving them both registrations or, better still, the engine codes from both vehicles.

Yes — for mechanical parts like radiators, the engine code is the most reliable guide because Peugeot fitted several different engines to the 308 across overlapping years. Two 308s from the same year could have different cooling requirements depending on whether they carry, for example, a 1.2 PureTech petrol or a 1.6 BlueHDi diesel. You can find the engine code on your V5 logbook or through a VIN check, and passing it to the breaker saves time and reduces the risk of ordering the wrong part.

Yes, fuel type matters because petrol and diesel engines have different cooling demands, and the radiators are often different units. Always tell the breaker whether your car is petrol or diesel alongside the engine code, as this helps them pull the right part from the dismantled vehicle. Gearbox type — manual or automatic — can also be relevant because some automatic transmission cooling lines connect to the radiator, so mention that too.

Trim level — whether Active, Allure, or GT Line — does not affect which radiator is fitted; what matters is the engine code, fuel type, and model generation. A breaker sourcing a radiator from a GT Line car will supply the same unit as one from an Active, provided the engine is the same. You may find minor cosmetic differences around the front end, but the radiator itself is determined by what is under the bonnet, not the badge on the boot.

Both a 2016 and a 2018 308 are Mk2 generation cars, with the facelift arriving around 2017, so there is a reasonable chance of compatibility if the engine codes match. However, ancillary or mounting details can change mid-production and may differ across the facelift boundary, so confirm this point with the breaker against your specific registration rather than assuming it is a direct fit. Giving the breaker both engine codes and registrations is the safest approach before committing to a purchase.