Used buying checklist
Peugeot 407 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Peugeot 407 looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 28.5% of 15,391 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with suspension and steering, lights and electrical, 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.
- 28.5% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 119,989 miles
- 4,393 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (39.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, ball joint has excessive play, and ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint has excessive play
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted)
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- slightly chafed
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- leaking excessively from engine
- emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit
Focus on suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 28.5%, +9.8 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 analysed15,391 tests
- Median tested mileage119,989 miles
- Failed MOT tests4,393
Should you buy a used Peugeot 407?
71.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 28.5%, +9.8 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 suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- suspension and steering 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 "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (39.9 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 407, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 26.8% at 10-15 years to 29.4% 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 suspension and steering, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure. 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 suspension and steering, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure. 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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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (39.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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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 (30.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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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 (21.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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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 (16.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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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 (11.3 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 (2.3 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 407, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (39.9 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 407 mainly involve 4 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, brakes, lights and electrical, and mixed recall notices. 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 407, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 446 | 370 | 17.5%+6.7 percentage points vs all models | 41,128 miles |
| 50-100k | 4,159 | 3,109 | 24.9%+4.2 percentage points vs all models | 82,312 miles |
| 100-150k | 6,900 | 4,948 | 29.4%+3.2 percentage points vs all models | 123,378 miles |
| 150-200k | 3,012 | 2,105 | 32.9%+5.6 percentage points vs all models | 166,827 miles |
| 200k+ | 618 | 449 | 31.6%+5.0 percentage points vs all models | 217,787 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Peugeot 407, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, 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 26.8% at 10-15 years to 29.4% 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 29.4% for 15+ years cars, based on 10,428 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
4,963 | 3,647 | 26.8%+3.2 percentage points vs all models | 13.7 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
10,428 | 7,477 | 29.4%+3.5 percentage points vs all models | 16.8 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.
| 2011-07-05 | ENGINE MAY STALL It is possible for the engine to stall due to incorrect reading of oil levels during harsh and prolonged braking. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to download new software to the engine ECU. |
|---|---|
| 2010-12-16 | BRAKING ASSISTANCE MAY NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY In very rare circumstances the vacuum pump one way valve may not function correctly which could affect the level of braking assistance. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the brake vacuum pump one way valve. |
| 2010-10-18 | PARKING BRAKE MAY FAIL The parking brake may fail to hold the vehicle stationary when applied. If this defect occurs the driver will be alerted by a weak effort when moving the parking brake lever. The recalled vehicles will be fitted with a quality assured parking brake lever. |
| 2009-10-29 | BRAKE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED. Residual low pressure persists in the power braking vacuum circuit which may result in the loss of power assistance when braking Recall affected vehicles to fit a calibrated air vent in the vacuum circuit. |
| 2008-07-16 | DIESEL FUEL RETURN PIPE MAY ABRADE AND WEAR. It has been identified that a slight amount of play in the diesel fuel return pipe mountings on certain vehicles may over time lead to abrasion and wear of the pipe. Recalled vehicles will have the subject clips checked and the pipe secured. |
| 2008-06-17 | FUSE BOX MAY CAUSE EQUIPMENT OPERATIONAL FAILURES It has been identified that the main engine fuse box is not to the correct specification. This can result in operating faults or the failure of certain equipment. Recalled vehicles will have the subject fuse box replaced. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Peugeot 407. 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.