Used car guide

2009 Peugeot 407: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Peugeot 407s, from 988 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

988MOT tests in 2025

53%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)

7,600typical miles a year

4.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Peugeot 407s than on all cars registered in 2009.

Drive shaft (CV) joints4.5× usual

Peugeot 407
23.7% All 2009 cars
5.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 14.3%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual

Peugeot 407
12.6% All 2009 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.6% of all 2009 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.
Engine oil leaks1.8× usual

Peugeot 407
18.3% All 2009 cars
10.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Ball joint1.9× usual

Peugeot 407
12.7% All 2009 cars
6.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.
Braking performance1.8× usual

Peugeot 407
11.5% All 2009 cars
6.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 2.2% here, against 8.4% of all 2009 cars. Shock absorbers: 3.2% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Peugeot 407 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

42% 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

40% 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

39% 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.
Brakes

38% 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.
Driveshafts and joints

24% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Oil and fluid leaks

19% 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.

Looking at a Peugeot 407?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2010	928	Suspension 41%
2008	908	Lights and electrics 41%
2007	1,329	Suspension 43%
2006	1,332	Suspension 48%
2005	806	Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Peugeot 407s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score