Peugeot 406 (2001)
2001 Peugeot 406
CarHunch analysed 28,200 real MOT records for the 2001 Peugeot 406. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Peugeot 406 is a below-average performer on its first MOT attempt, with a 70.4% pass rate that trails the UK average of 80% by nearly 10 percentage points—a meaningful gap that suggests you should budget for repairs. More concerning, 22.4% of these vehicles have suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is a legitimate buyer worry and well above acceptable thresholds.
At 122,000 miles median, these cars are showing their age, and the 3.62 average failures per test tell you that wear-related issues are genuine rather than freak occurrences—suspension, brakes, and exhaust problems are typical. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection by someone familiar with 406s, pay special attention to the undercarriage and cooling system, and expect to spend money on repairs sooner rather than later.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2001 Peugeot 406
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 22.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Peugeot 406
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (67%) | 18,872 | 69.2% | 3.94 |
| Petrol (33%) | 9,308 | 72.8% | 2.96 |
| LPG (0%) | 16 | 65% | 4 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 57.4% | 2.33 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 60% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Peugeot 406 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 Peugeot 406 vehicles fall between 97,787 and 152,256 miles.
2001 Peugeot 406 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 548 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 Peugeot 406
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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66.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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41%
Oil leak
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29.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Peugeot 406?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.