2003 Peugeot 406 · 2,692 MOT tests
2003 Peugeot 406 reliability
2003 Peugeot 406s fail 46.4% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 6 406 years (2,692 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Peugeot 406s: 44.2%)
- 46.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Peugeot 406s: 44.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 142,923
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,692
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 5.6% of tests fail here (53% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 27% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Peugeot 406
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.2%
- Brakes18.8%
- Suspension18.5%
- Body, chassis and structure12.7%
- Tyres8.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.94%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.83%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.31%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.09%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Position lamp not working 4.01%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.94%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (19.87%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.94%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.9%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (7.8%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.24%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (6.91%)
Is a 2003 Peugeot 406 reliable?
2003 Peugeot 406s fail 46.4% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 6 406 years (2,692 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Peugeot 406 MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.94% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.83% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.31% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Peugeot 406 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Peugeot 406 shows 142,923 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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