2000 Peugeot 406 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Tread depth1.8× usual
  Peugeot 406

  24.6% All 2000 cars

  13.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.7% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

• Sub-frame3.1× usual
  Peugeot 406

  11.3% All 2000 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2000 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.9× usual
  Peugeot 406

  9.4% All 2000 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.7% of all 2000 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.

• Diesel smoke emissions11.4× usual
  Peugeot 406

  5.7% All 2000 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 0.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Ball joint1.9× usual
  Peugeot 406

  10.9% All 2000 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.2% of all 2000 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.

Common 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  55% 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
  44% 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
  32% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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
  21% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2000 Peugeot 406 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?