CarCostCheck

PEUGEOT 405 (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 56 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

63%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1905cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

63% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 19 points below average.

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Petrol1905cc35 years old56 tests124k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1905cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1905cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

63% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 19 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 35 years old, 63% of PEUGEOT 405s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 56 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,512 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars168th of 179(top 94%)
Rank among PEUGEOT models719th of 726(top 99%)
vs national average-19%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average-15%(78% avg)
vs PEUGEOT average-20%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,512

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 PEUGEOT 405 has 123,512 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1995 model with a 74% MOT pass rate, while the 1991 model has the lowest at 63%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

PEUGEOT 405 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199793%30147,594 mi
199671%94151,703 mi
199574%215144,657 mi
199474%192133,491 mi
199373%119143,533 mi
199267%72130,624 mi
199163%56123,512 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1991 PEUGEOT 405

The 1991 PEUGEOT 405 is a family car with a 1905cc petrol engine. 56 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 94% of 1991 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 123,512 miles at 35 years old, PEUGEOT 405 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 PEUGEOT 405 Fuel Costs

The 1905cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 PEUGEOT 405?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 63% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

PEUGEOT 405 Reliability Trend

Newer PEUGEOT 405s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 PEUGEOT 405

At 35 years old, the PEUGEOT 405 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 56 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 PEUGEOT 405's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 124k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 63% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 PEUGEOT 405 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
PEUGEOT 405(1991)63%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£530
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)84%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£530
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£720
MAZDA MX-5(1991)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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