Used car guide

2003 Peugeot 406: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Peugeot 406s, from 500 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

500MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,400typical miles a year
4.8×the usual rate for side repeaters

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Peugeot 406s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Side repeaters4.8× usual
    Peugeot 406
    8.2% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.9% of all 2003 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.6× usual
    Peugeot 406
    8.2% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Individual direction indicators2.2× usual
    Peugeot 406
    6.8% All 2003 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2003 Peugeot 406 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    43% 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
    39% 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
    34% 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
    22% 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
    17% 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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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Peugeot 406s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score