Used car guide

2001 Peugeot 406: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Peugeot 406s, from 457 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 457 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

457MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Peugeot 406s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Brake discs2.1× usual
    Peugeot 406
    26% All 2001 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Side repeaters4.9× usual
    Peugeot 406
    7.4% All 2001 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Sub-frame2.3× usual
    Peugeot 406
    11.2% All 2001 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

By area

The share of 2001 Peugeot 406 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004144Suspension 54%
2003500Suspension 51%
2002486Suspension 45%
2000329Suspension 51%
1999195Suspension 42%
1998196Brakes 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Peugeot 406s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score