2006 Peugeot 407 — MOT failures & pass rate
17,463 MOT tests on the 2006 Peugeot 407 are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 2.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.4%) and lighting & signalling (14.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are anti-lock braking system, joints and ball joint — anti-lock braking system alone was recorded 1,334 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 407 fails 33.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 31.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.8 points.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.2% fail against 30.1% for diesel, a 1.9-point gap across 17,463 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.4% | 2,682 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 2,577 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.0% | 2,267 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 1,394 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.4% | 1,291 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.2% | 1,258 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anti-lock braking system | 1,334 |
| 2 | Joints | 1,291 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 1,287 |
| 4 | Washers | 1,056 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 905 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 795 |
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 | 34.0% | 5,928 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.3% | 5,461 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.5% | 5,327 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 2,975 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.9% | 2,942 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 2,630 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 122 | 33.6% |
| 30-60k | 758 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,732 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,791 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 4,612 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 4,333 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,435 | 30.1% |
| Petrol | 2,028 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,718 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 4,399 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 3,240 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 2,368 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 1,738 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 407
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (15.4% 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 (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 2006 Peugeot 407s pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 17,463 2006 Peugeot 407 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Peugeot 407?
Brakes, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.8%).
Does the 2006 407 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,463 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.