1989 Peugeot 205 Rallye From the French Market Changes Hands

A French-market 1989 Peugeot 205 Rallye with mechanical refresh was sold for £12,495, according to a PistonHeads listing. Explore the details of this rare hot hatch.

The Peugeot 205 Rallye has once again drawn attention as one of the most uncompromising hot hatches of the late 1980s. A left-hand-drive, French-market example from 1989 has recently changed hands in the UK for £12,495, a figure that stands out given the growing demand for lightweight performance icons of the era.

This is a genuine Peugeot 205 Rallye powered by the 1.3-litre TU24 twin-carb engine, the configuration that defined the model’s role as a homologation base for amateur motorsport. According to official confirmation from Peugeot, the car was built on 21 March 1989 at the Sevel Nord plant in France and originally supplied to the French market. Its documented history shows first registration in Hungary in 1990, before being imported into the UK in 2015.

Mechanically, the car has been the subject of notable recent attention. More than £4,500 was spent in 2023 on a mechanical refresh and engine setup, after which the car has covered only around 700 miles. It also passed its MOT in December 2025 with no advisories, an encouraging sign for a model now well into classic territory.

The odometer displays approximately 39,600 miles, although this figure cannot be fully verified due to the replacement of the original metric speedometer. Even so, the overall presentation aligns with what is described as a well-used but carefully preserved example. The body is reported to be straight and structurally sound, with only minor age-related blemishes, and there are no indications of previous competitive use such as a roll cage.

Much of the Rallye’s appeal lies in its uncompromising technical philosophy. With minimal soundproofing, no power steering and an interior stripped back to essentials, it prioritises weight reduction over comfort. Combined with GTi-derived brakes and suspension, the result is a driving experience that remains raw and engaging by modern standards.

Against today’s heavier, technology-laden hot hatches, the 205 Rallye feels like a product of a very different mindset. With its confirmed provenance, recent mechanical work and a sale price that sits at the accessible end of current European market expectations, this particular example illustrates why original Rallyes are increasingly viewed as both desirable drivers’ cars and solid long-term prospects.