2001 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,127 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Peugeot 406, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.0% in the 150k+ group versus 23.1% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 780 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 692 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.9% | 663 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 427 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 319 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 247 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 356 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 321 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 309 |
| 4 | Wipers | 235 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 234 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 232 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.3% | 2,013 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.2% | 1,908 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.4% | 1,454 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 1,029 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.3% | 991 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 810 |
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 | 251 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 662 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 942 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,197 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,052 | 31.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,608 | 29.0% |
| Petrol | 1,519 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,585 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 1,294 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 940 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 718 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 590 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 406
Before buying a 2001 Peugeot 406, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.5% 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 (12.9% 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.
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 2001 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 5,127 2001 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Peugeot 406?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.5%).
Does the 2001 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,127 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.