Peugeot 405 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Peugeot 405 car check
Is the Peugeot 405 reliable? We analysed 393,825 real MOT tests across 81,151 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Peugeot 405? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Peugeot 405 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Peugeot 405.
Peugeot 405 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Peugeot 405. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Peugeot 405 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Peugeot 405 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Peugeot 405 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Peugeot 405 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Peugeot 405 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Peugeot 405 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Peugeot 405 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Peugeot 405 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 55 | 65.5% | 48,183 | 87,031 | 143,016 |
| 1998 | 71 | 71.8% | 68,844 | 98,419 | 134,131 |
| 1997 | 7,698 | 65.8% | 92,587 | 123,013 | 155,360 |
| 1996 | 46,925 | 64.9% | 110,550 | 140,712 | 172,192 |
| 1995 | 99,962 | 64.7% | 105,786 | 134,909 | 166,963 |
| 1994 | 95,630 | 64.2% | 107,747 | 137,480 | 169,874 |
| 1993 | 75,331 | 63.3% | 106,205 | 136,637 | 169,348 |
| 1992 | 36,869 | 62.9% | 105,212 | 135,544 | 167,242 |
| 1991 | 14,742 | 62.3% | 100,819 | 133,152 | 166,291 |
| 1990 | 8,235 | 62.4% | 99,732 | 132,999 | 167,800 |
| 1989 | 5,686 | 62.3% | 93,112 | 128,818 | 165,343 |
| 1988 | 1,972 | 62.4% | 83,767 | 114,624 | 147,564 |
| 1971 | 467 | 65.7% | 126,236 | 150,154 | 171,237 |
How Long Does a Peugeot 405 Last?
Based on 81,151 Peugeot 405 vehicles on UK roads.
Peugeot 405 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Peugeot 405 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Peugeot 405
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.8% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
62.3% MOT pass rate from 5,686 tests
The best year to buy a used Peugeot 405 is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.8% across 71 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Peugeot 405 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 405 THIS CAR | 64.0% | 393,825 | 136,147 mi | 37 yrs |
| Peugeot 206 | 67.7% | 9,831,622 | 65,066 mi | 28 yrs |
| Peugeot 307 | 67.5% | 5,095,133 | 73,548 mi | 25 yrs |
| Peugeot 207 | 70.9% | 4,554,199 | 59,259 mi | 20 yrs |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 71% | 189,090 | 87,999 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Peugeot 206 (67.7% pass rate) and the Peugeot 307 (67.5% pass rate), the Peugeot 405 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Peugeot 405 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Peugeot 405Should you buy a used Peugeot 405?
The Peugeot 405 has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.0% across 393,825 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Peugeot 405 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (25,967 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (24,545), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (17,957). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Peugeot 405 owner drives around 5,679 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Peugeot 405 models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.