Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Peugeot 407?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Peugeot 407?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Peugeot 407?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 Peugeot 407 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Peugeot 407 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 11,196 vehicles, the 2004 Peugeot 407 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Peugeot 407?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Peugeot 407 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (75.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (71.9% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Peugeot 407?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Peugeot 407 (2004)

11,196 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71% first-time pass rate

2004 Peugeot 407

CarHunch analysed 11,196 real MOT records for the 2004 Peugeot 407. 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 Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Peugeot 407 fails its MOT significantly more often than the UK average, with a 71% pass rate versus 80% nationally, and nearly three in ten of these cars have recorded dangerous defects during their lives — a concerning figure that demands thorough pre-purchase inspection. Both petrol and diesel versions perform similarly poorly, with diesels managing just 71.5% and petrol versions 69.5%, so fuel choice won't meaningfully improve your odds.

At 90,445 miles median mileage for a 20-year-old car, these 407s have been driven hard but not excessively, yet they're accumulating an average of 3.8 failures and 13.2 advisories per MOT — suggesting systemic wear rather than isolated issues. Before buying one, get a full history check and have a trusted mechanic inspect the suspension, electrics, and cooling system, as these older French saloons are prone to expensive failures once they start declining.

The 2004 Peugeot 407 has a below-average first-time pass rate (71% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

71%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

28.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.8

Over 12.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

90k

Middle half: 71k–112k

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 13.2 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 11,196 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 11,196 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 75.4%

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.

Brake wear 47.5%

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 43.2%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak · …

Lighting 20.5%

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 11,196 Peugeot 407 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

69.5%

Petrol

2,660 vehicles

71.5%

Diesel

8,523 vehicles

Before you buy a 2004 Peugeot 407

Based on MOT data from 11,196 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 28.2% 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (76%)	8,523	71.5%	3.69
Petrol (24%)	2,660	69.5%	4.15

Colour Breakdown

Based on 68,393 Peugeot 407 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 37.5%

25,635

Grey 20.2%

13,814

Black 16.5%

11,257

Blue 12.8%

8,767

Red 5.9%

4,046

Gold 4.3%

2,965

Maroon 1.1%

774

Bronze 0.9%

586

White 0.5%

346

Green 0.3%

172

Yellow 0%

Purple 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Peugeot 407 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.

90,445

typical

71,392

low mileage

111,749

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Peugeot 407 vehicles fall between 71,392 and 111,749 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 71,392 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.

✓ 71,392–111,749 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Peugeot 407s sit.

⚠ Over 150,861 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Peugeot 407 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 7% of 2004 Peugeot 407s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 449 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (7% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* 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

12.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.8

Avg failures per vehicle

13.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Peugeot 407: All 407 years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Peugeot →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Peugeot 407 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on