2003 Peugeot 406 MOT pass rate: 60.8% (1,906 tests)
Is the 2003 406 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 61.6% -2.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 59.2% -5.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 61.5% -4.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 406
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 665 | 22.9% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 641 | 22.1% |
| 3 | Suspension | 635 | 21.9% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 305 | 10.5% |
| 5 | Tyres | 174 | 6.0% |
| 6 | Visibility | 147 | 5.1% |
All 406 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,739 | 64.7% | -1.8 pts | 135,962 |
| 2002 | 1,831 | 63.8% | -1.8 pts | 137,780 |
| 2003 (this page) | 1,906 | 60.8% | -4.2 pts | 142,228 |
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Peugeot 406 reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 60.8% of their MOT tests (1,906 tests, 2023–2025), -4.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 142,228 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 406?
The median tested example shows 142,228 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.