1997 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,048 MOT tests on the 1997 Peugeot 406 are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 26.9% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.5%) and brakes (11.9%) 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, steering rack and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 78 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 27.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.4% in 2021 to 27.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 131 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 125 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.8% | 124 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 95 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 71 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.2% | 65 |
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 | 78 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 67 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 63 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 61 |
| 6 | Wipers | 57 |
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 | 42.5% | 445 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.9% | 387 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.7% | 280 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.3% | 255 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 161 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.9% | 156 |
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 | 108 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 138 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 232 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 168 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 331 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 608 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 440 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 323 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 244 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 194 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 163 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 124 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 1997 406
On a 1997 406, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.9% 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 (11.8% 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.
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 1997 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 1,048 1997 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Peugeot 406?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by brakes (11.9%).
Does the 1997 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.2% in the 30-60k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,048 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.