2002 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,372 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Peugeot 406, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 71.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.3% in the 150k+ group versus 21.4% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 955 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 756 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 655 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 484 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 331 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 255 |
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 | 426 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 311 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 311 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 291 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 251 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 239 |
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 | 38.7% | 2,079 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.7% | 1,808 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.6% | 1,534 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 1,062 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.3% | 1,034 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 771 |
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 | 201 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 671 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,112 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,200 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,176 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,464 | 28.8% |
| Petrol | 908 | 25.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,667 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 1,325 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 986 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 784 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 610 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 406
Before buying a 2002 Peugeot 406, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.1% 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 (12.2% 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 2002 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 5,372 2002 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Peugeot 406?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.1%).
Does the 2002 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 30-60k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,372 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.