2004 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,527 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Peugeot 406, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.5% in the 150k+ group versus 20.4% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 238 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 208 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 202 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 119 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.0% | 76 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 76 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 108 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 90 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 89 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 84 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 71 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 67 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.3% | 600 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.8% | 546 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 382 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 271 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 220 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 207 |
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 | 49 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 194 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 316 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 419 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 545 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,489 | 28.5% |
| Petrol | 38 | 26.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 438 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 359 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 300 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 249 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 181 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 406
Before buying a 2004 Peugeot 406, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 (13.2% 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.
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 2004 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 1,527 2004 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Peugeot 406?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2004 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,527 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.