2000 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Peugeot 406 passed 71.4% of its 3,725 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 27.9%, so the 2000 406 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.1%) and brakes (12.8%) 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 headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 250 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.4% in the 30-60k band and 31.3% in the 150k+ band, a 8.9-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.7pp more often than petrol ones (29.8% vs 27.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.9% in 2021 to 27.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.1% | 488 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 476 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 476 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 369 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 220 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 207 |
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 | 250 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 208 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 205 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 197 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 166 |
| 6 | Wipers | 164 |
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 | 37.6% | 1,399 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.5% | 1,286 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 1,038 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.0% | 821 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 685 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 587 |
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 | 152 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 443 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 743 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 921 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,455 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,026 | 29.8% |
| Petrol | 1,699 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,187 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 884 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 707 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 526 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 421 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2000 406
On a 2000 406, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 (12.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% 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 2000 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 3,725 2000 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Peugeot 406?
Suspension, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2000 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,725 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.