2001 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,127 MOT tests on the 2001 Peugeot 406 are in this dataset, and 71.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.2%) and suspension (13.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 356 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.0% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.1% fail against 29.0% for diesel, a 3.0-point gap across 5,127 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.5% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
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
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.