Is the 1997 PEUGEOT 405 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of PEUGEOT 405s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 30 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1997 PEUGEOT 405 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 PEUGEOT 405?

The 1997 PEUGEOT 405 has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 30 tests in 2026. This ranks 22 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year PEUGEOT 405 is most reliable?

The 1995 PEUGEOT 405 has the highest MOT pass rate at 74%. The least reliable year is 1991 at 63%.

PEUGEOT 405 (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 PEUGEOT 405?

The average mileage for a 1997 PEUGEOT 405 is 147,594 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 30 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc29 years old30 tests148k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 29 years old, 93% of PEUGEOT 405s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 30 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 147,594 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars22th of 320(top 7%)

Rank among PEUGEOT models156th of 726(top 21%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+18%(75% avg)

vs PEUGEOT average+10%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

147,594

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 PEUGEOT 405 has 147,594 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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%. The 1997 sits between the two at 93%.

PEUGEOT 405 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1997	93%	30	147,594 mi
1996	71%	94	151,703 mi
1995	74%	215	144,657 mi
1994	74%	192	133,491 mi
1993	73%	119	143,533 mi
1992	67%	72	130,624 mi
1991	63%	56	123,512 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-26%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-20%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-22%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-15%

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About the 1997 PEUGEOT 405

The 1997 PEUGEOT 405 is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 30 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 7% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 147,594 miles at 29 years old, PEUGEOT 405 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 PEUGEOT 405 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc 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 1997 PEUGEOT 405?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 1997 PEUGEOT 405

At 29 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 74%. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 PEUGEOT 405's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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 148k 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.

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 1997 PEUGEOT 405 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
PEUGEOT 405(1997)	93%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£700
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£120
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397+£500

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.