Used car guide

2004 Peugeot 407: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Peugeot 407s, from 229 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 229 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

229MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,300typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Peugeot 407s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Ball joint2.8× usual
    Peugeot 407
    18.8% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Peugeot 407
    16.6% All 2004 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

By area

The share of 2004 Peugeot 407 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Peugeot 407?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011165Lights and electrics 41%
2010928Suspension 41%
2009988Suspension 42%
2008908Lights and electrics 41%
20071,329Lights and electrics 43%
20061,332Suspension 48%
2005806Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Peugeot 407s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score