Used buying checklist
Peugeot 406 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Peugeot 406 looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 27.4% of 5,079 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 27.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 135,971 miles
- 1,390 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (63.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened, excessively corroded, and corroded and seriously weakened.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- corroded and seriously weakened
- prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint has excessive play
- across an axle
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- leaking excessively from engine
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 27.4%, +8.6 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed5,079 tests
- Median tested mileage135,971 miles
- Failed MOT tests1,390
Should you buy a used Peugeot 406?
72.6% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 27.4%, +8.6 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (63.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 406, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 27.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (63.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (39.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (35.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (11.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 406, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (63.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Peugeot 406 mainly involve 6 areas: brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, mixed recall notices, and seatbelts and safety systems. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 406, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 140 | 109 | 21.4%+10.6 percentage points vs all models | 40,696 miles |
| 50-100k | 1,100 | 845 | 23.5%+2.8 percentage points vs all models | 82,958 miles |
| 100-150k | 1,842 | 1,364 | 27.8%+1.6 percentage points vs all models | 126,985 miles |
| 150-200k | 1,214 | 903 | 28.2%+0.9 percentage points vs all models | 170,271 miles |
| 200k+ | 710 | 507 | 32.1%+5.5 percentage points vs all models | 229,965 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 406, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 27.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 27.4% for 15+ years cars, based on 5,076 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
2 | 2 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 4.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
1 | 1 | 0.0%-23.5 percentage points vs all models | 11.8 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
5,076 | 3,750 | 27.4%+1.5 percentage points vs all models | 21.7 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2009-03-13 | FUEL MAY LEAK It has been identified that a batch of high pressure fuel injection pumps supplied as spare parts may not have been manufactured to specification. As a result a fuel leak may occur. Recalled vehicles will have the subject fuel injection pumps changed. |
|---|---|
| 2003-09-05 | POSSIBLE INCORRECT WIRING OF SIDE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS There is a possibility that the connections for the side airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners may have been inverted on the connectors for the airbag ECU. In the case of an impact there is a risk that the incorrect side airbag could be triggered. Check and if required change over the wires concerned in the airbag connector. |
| 2003-08-15 | INCORRECT WIRING OF LATERAL AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS There is a possibility that the connections for the side airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners may have been inverted on the connectors for the airbag ECU. In the case of an impact there is a risk that the incorrect side airbag could be triggered. Recall affected vehicles and reverse the wires concerned in the Air Bag Connector |
| 2003-05-13 | WATER MAY ENTER COOLING FAN - RISK OF FIRE. There is a possibility that water may collect within the casing of the cooling fan and in a limited number of cases an under-bonnet fire. Fit a modified cooling fan assembly. |
| 2002-04-05 | POSSIBLE REDUCTION IN BRAKING ASSISTANCE PLUS ENGINE OPERATING PROBLEMS. In adverse wet weather conditions water may enter the engine management solenoid valve operating circuit. This could result in engine operating problems and a reduction in power assistance to the brake pedal if the water enters the brake vacuum circuit via the solenoid valves. Recall affected vehicles to examine and if necessary replace the engine management solenoid valves with ones sealed against the ingress of water. |
| 2001-10-29 | FAILURE OF CAMSHAFT DRIVE BELT The camshaft drive belt may fail before the recommended replacement interval of 72000 miles. This could result in a complete loss of engine power without warning. Recall affected vehicles and fit a quality assured replacement camshaft drive belt. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Peugeot 406. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Peugeot reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.