1997 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 1,048 MOT tests analysed for the 1997 Peugeot 406, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.0% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.4%).

Pass rate

1,048

MOT tests analysed

28.1%

Fail rate

worse than

vs cars of similar age

25.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 1997 Peugeot 406
#	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

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 1997 Peugeot 406
#	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.

Most common MOT advisories — 1997 Peugeot 406
#	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.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 1997 406
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

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

By fuel type

Fail rate by fuel type — 1997 406
Fuel	Tests	Fail rate
Petrol	608	28.1%
Diesel	440	28.0%

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 1997 406
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

Before buying a 1997 Peugeot 406, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests for this year.

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 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.