1996 Peugeot 405 — MOT failures & pass rate
268 MOT tests on the 1996 Peugeot 405 are in this dataset, and 68.7% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.8% fail rate), the 1996 405 comes out 6.5pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (17.5%) and suspension (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and steering rack — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 46 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.2% in the 60-90k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 11.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.3% in 2021 to 30.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.5% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 40 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 33 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.6% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 18 |
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 | 46 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 20 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 18 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
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 | 33.6% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.8% | 80 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.6% | 66 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.3% | 57 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.8% | 37 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 33 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 163 | 32.5% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 229 | 31.4% |
| Petrol | 39 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 72 | 34.7% |
| 2023 | 44 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 38 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 33 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 1996 405
On a 1996 405, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (17.5% 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.
- Suspension (16.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% 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 1996 Peugeot 405s pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 268 1996 Peugeot 405 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Peugeot 405?
Brakes, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (16.0%).
Does the 1996 405 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 60-90k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 268 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.