Peugeot

Peugeot 405 (1993)

17,150 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.6% first-time pass rate

1993 Peugeot 405

CarHunch analysed 17,150 real MOT records for the 1993 Peugeot 405. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1993 Peugeot 405 is notably unreliable by modern standards, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 65.6% against the UK average of 80%—meaning roughly one in three examples fails their test. While dangerous defects aren't epidemic at 14.6%, they're present enough to be a real concern, and both petrol and diesel variants perform similarly poorly, so fuel type won't help you dodge the issues.

These cars are averaging 142,000 miles, which is genuinely high for their age and reflects heavy use over three decades. Most failures cluster around two per vehicle, with advisories at 3.7 each, suggesting worn suspension, brakes, and cooling systems are the norm rather than exceptions—if you're seriously considering one, budget for immediate work and have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows 405s well.

The 1993 Peugeot 405 has a below-average first-time pass rate (65.6% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
65.6%
UK average ~80%
Below average
Dangerous (ever)
14.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.61
Over 4.4 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
151k
Middle half: 124k–179k
For context
⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 3.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 17,150 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 17,150 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 36.7%
Oil leak · Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split · oil leak · …
Brake wear 34%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Brakes imbalanced across an axle · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Tyre wear 19.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1993.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 17,150 Peugeot 405 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 1993 Peugeot 405

Based on MOT data from 17,150 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 14.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (74%) 12,645 65.7% 1.64
Petrol (26%) 4,492 65.2% 1.52

Colour Breakdown

Based on 81,055 Peugeot 405 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 32.4%
26,238
Blue 23.3%
18,876
White 15%
12,142
Grey 11.5%
9,345
Silver 7.3%
5,883
Green 7%
5,700
Black 1.3%
1,090
Beige 1.3%
1,071
Gold 0.5%
445
Brown 0.2%
195
Maroon 0.1%
42
Bronze 0%
28

Mileage Distribution

Most 1993 Peugeot 405 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

150,598
typical
123,960
low mileage
179,005
high mileage

Half of all 1993 Peugeot 405 vehicles fall between 123,960 and 179,005 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 123,960 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
123,960–179,005 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1993 Peugeot 405s sit.
Over 241,656 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1993 Peugeot 405 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 1993 Peugeot 405s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 30 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).

535 30 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

4.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.61
Avg failures per vehicle
3.7
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Peugeot 405: All 405 years → Which year to buy? →
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997

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Buyer beware — pass it on