Peugeot 206 Radio Code — Find & Enter Your Code

A Peugeot 206 radio code is a four-digit security PIN that locks the factory head unit whenever the car's battery loses power. Produced from 1998 to 2009 (with the 206+ continuing to 2013), virtually every 206 left the factory with anti-theft code protection built into the OEM radio. The units fitted — principally the RD3, RD4, and RD43 — were built by Philips and VDO on the PSA audio platform shared with Citroën. When the battery is disconnected or drained, these units display SAFE or CODE and will not operate until the correct PIN is entered.

Why Your Peugeot 206 Radio Is Asking for a Code

The RD3, RD4, and RD43 units monitor their constant 12 V supply. Any break in that supply triggers the security lock. The most common reasons a 206 owner encounters a code prompt include:

Battery replacement — the single most frequent cause, particularly on older 206s where the original battery has reached end of life
Battery disconnection for bodywork, welding, or other electrical repairs
Complete battery drain from leaving interior lights or accessories on
Purchase of a second-hand 206 where the previous owner did not supply the code
Fuse failure affecting the permanent live supply to the head unit
Radio removal and refitting (e.g. after a theft attempt or interior strip-out)

Peugeot 206 Generations and Radio Fitments

The 206 ran as a single main model with a mid-life refresh, plus the budget 206+ variant. All generations used PSA-platform audio units, with the RD3 on earlier cars and the RD4 and RD43 becoming standard from around 2002 onwards. The serial format is a C7 barcode — a PSA-group standard shared across Peugeot and Citroën.

Generation	Years	Radio unit(s)	Serial format
206 (pre-facelift)	1998–2003	RD3 / RD4	C7 barcode
206 (post-facelift)	2003–2009	RD4 / RD43	C7 barcode
206+	2009–2013	RD4 / RD43	C7 barcode

How to Find Your Peugeot 206 Radio Serial Number

Finding the serial number on a Peugeot 206 requires understanding the C7 barcode system. Unlike some manufacturers where the serial is visible on the display, the 206's RD3, RD4, and RD43 units carry the serial as a printed barcode on the unit chassis. There is no standard BE or BP prefix as on Vauxhall units — the PSA C7 format is a sequence of digits typically beginning with a number. You will need this serial to generate your code, and it is unique to each individual unit.

Method 1 — Remove the Radio and Read the C7 Barcode Sticker

The primary method for a 206 is physical removal. The RD3, RD4, and RD43 sit in a standard DIN slot. Use two pairs of DIN extraction keys inserted into the four slots on the fascia — two per side — until you hear a click, then pull the unit forward. On the top or side of the chassis is a sticker carrying the C7 barcode and, in plain digits, the serial number. Note every character. Once you have the serial, visit our Peugeot radio code lookup to retrieve your four-digit code.

Method 2 — Check the Original Documentation

Peugeot originally supplied a code card in the document wallet. Check the service folder and handbook pouch in the glove box. On many used 206s this card has been lost, but it is always worth checking first. If the card shows only the four-digit code, you can enter it directly.

How to Enter the Code on a Peugeot 206

All three head unit variants — RD3, RD4, and RD43 — use the same button-entry method. The process is straightforward and takes under a minute once you have your four-digit code.

Turn the ignition to position II (accessories on) so the radio powers up. It will display CODE, SAFE, or a row of dashes.
Press preset button 1 repeatedly to cycle the first digit to the correct number. For example, if the first digit of your code is 3, press button 1 three times.
Press preset button 2 to set the second digit, button 3 for the third, and button 4 for the fourth digit in the same way.
Once all four digits show correctly on the display, confirm by pressing the OK button or — on RD3 and some RD4 units — pressing the 5 or 6 preset button (which acts as a confirm key on these units).
If the code is accepted, the radio will power on and resume normal operation immediately. If SAFE reappears or an error shows, check your digit entry — see the troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting Common Error Messages

SAFE — normal locked state awaiting code entry. Enter your code as described above.
CODE followed by dashes — the unit is ready for input. Proceed with preset buttons 1–4.
SAFE after entering the code — one or more digits were incorrect. On RD3/RD4/RD43 units, incorrect entry does not immediately lock the unit but after approximately three wrong complete code entries a waiting period is imposed. Check your serial number again and re-retrieve the code.
Unit locked with countdown / waiting period — leave the ignition in position II for the full countdown (typically 30 to 60 minutes). Do not switch off the ignition during this period as it may reset the timer.
Digits cycling incorrectly — on some RD4 units the display shows digits cycling as you press buttons. Confirm you have reached the correct digit before moving to the next button. If you overshoot, continue cycling as the digits wrap around (9 goes back to 0).
No display at all — check the fusebox. The radio fuse on the 206 is typically fuse F14 or F16 depending on model year; consult the owner's manual for the exact location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the serial number on a Peugeot 206 RD4 radio?

The serial number on a Peugeot 206 RD4 is printed on a sticker on the side or top of the radio chassis in the form of a PSA C7 barcode. You cannot retrieve it from the display — the unit must be removed using DIN extraction keys to access it. The serial is a string of digits (no letter prefix) that is unique to your specific unit.

Can I use the Peugeot 206 radio code from a previous owner's documentation?

Yes, absolutely. If the four-digit code is printed on a card that came with the car, you can enter it directly without needing to retrieve the serial number. The code is valid for the lifetime of the unit as long as that unit has not been replaced with a different one. If the radio has been swapped, you will need the new unit's serial number to obtain the correct code.

How do I know whether my 206 has an RD3 or RD4?

The RD3 was fitted to earlier 206 models (roughly 1998–2002) and has a basic display showing station frequency only. The RD4 and RD43 are CD-capable units from around 2002 onwards; the RD43 is a later revision of the RD4. The designation is printed on the front panel or on the chassis sticker when the unit is removed.

Do I need special tools to remove the Peugeot 206 radio?

Standard DIN extraction keys are all that is required — inexpensive flat metal tools available from motor factors or online. Insert one pair per side (four keys total), push until you hear a click, then pull the unit forward. No screwdrivers or dashboard trim removal is needed.

Is the Peugeot 206 radio code the same as a Citroën radio code?

Yes. The RD3, RD4, and RD43 units — and the PSA C7 barcode format — are shared across Peugeot and Citroën vehicles of the same era (Citroën C3, Xsara Picasso, and others). The retrieval and entry process is identical. The code itself is unique to each individual unit's serial, so two units with different serials will have different codes.

The Peugeot 206 is one of the UK's most popular used cars, and RD3, RD4, and RD43 code requests are among the most frequent we see. The process is quick: remove the unit, read the C7 barcode serial, look up your code, and enter it with the preset buttons. For all Peugeot models and the full PSA vehicle range, visit our vehicle brands directory.