2003 Peugeot 406 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,589 MOT tests, the 2003 Peugeot 406 recorded a 70.3% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 1.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests against 14.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 414 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.1% versus 20.8%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.2% fail against 30.2% for diesel, a 4.0-point gap across 5,589 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 999 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 801 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.3% | 797 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 531 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 344 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 300 |
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 | 414 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 371 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 360 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 331 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 326 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 273 |
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 | 37.4% | 2,089 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.8% | 1,944 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 1,561 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 1,220 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.6% | 1,041 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 871 |
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 | 211 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 532 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,083 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,333 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,406 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,917 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 672 | 26.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,722 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 1,335 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 1,075 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 810 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 647 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 406
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 (14.3% 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 2003 Peugeot 406s pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 5,589 2003 Peugeot 406 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Peugeot 406?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2003 406 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 30-60k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,589 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.