PEUGEOT 406 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 412 MOT tests from 29 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every PEUGEOT 406 has the same fault.

PEUGEOT 406's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 538/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PEUGEOT 406 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the PEUGEOT 406.

PEUGEOT 406 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2003	522/999Above average	94,861 miles	881 vehicles
Diesel	2003	443/999Average	93,016 miles	1,567 vehicles
Diesel	2002	457/999Average	95,465 miles	4,174 vehicles
Diesel	2001	465/999Average	101,113 miles	6,730 vehicles
Petrol	2001	566/999Above average	94,644 miles	4,161 vehicles
Diesel	2000	481/999Average	107,963 miles	8,004 vehicles
Diesel	1998	581/999Above average	126,296 miles	1,789 vehicles
Petrol	1998	614/999Good	103,544 miles	1,925 vehicles
Diesel	1997	620/999Good	135,234 miles	866 vehicles
Petrol	1996	630/999Good	107,195 miles	1,477 vehicles

How reliable is the PEUGEOT 406?

Based on 412 MOT tests from 29 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

412

Pass rate

78.9%

Median mileage

124,646 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PEUGEOT 406 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 495 out of 999.

Common PEUGEOT 406 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 35 advisory comments and 10 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 14 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 advisory comments and 3 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: REAR EXHAUST HAS PART OF THE SYSTEM SLIGHTLY DETERIORATED (7.1.1A)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Indicator faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an indicator or side repeater that was not working or was insecure.

What to inspect

Check every indicator, including the side repeaters.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR DIRECTION INDICATOR INCORRECT COLOUR (1.4.A.2F)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 5 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP(S) NOT WORKING (1.1.A.3B)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

PEUGEOT 406 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2000	6	99	78.8%	Coil spring issues, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used PEUGEOT 406

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Indicator faults. Check every indicator, including the side repeaters.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Buying a PEUGEOT 406?

Common problems tell you what can affect PEUGEOT 406s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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