2000 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,725 MOT tests analysed for the 2000 Peugeot 406, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 71.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.3% in the 150k+ group versus 22.4% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.1% | 488 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 476 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 476 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 369 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 220 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 207 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 250 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 208 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 205 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 197 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 166 |
| 6 | Wipers | 164 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.6% | 1,399 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.5% | 1,286 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 1,038 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.0% | 821 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 685 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 587 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 152 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 443 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 743 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 921 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,455 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,026 | 29.8% |
| Petrol | 1,699 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,187 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 884 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 707 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 526 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 421 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2000 406
Before buying a 2000 Peugeot 406, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.1% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 3,725 2000 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Peugeot 406?
Suspension, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2000 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,725 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.