How much does a 1996 PEUGEOT 406 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 PEUGEOT 406?

The 1996 PEUGEOT 406 has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 140 tests in 2026. This ranks 116 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year PEUGEOT 406 is most reliable?

The 1996 PEUGEOT 406 has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 68%.

PEUGEOT 406 (1996)

Q: Is the 1996 PEUGEOT 406 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of PEUGEOT 406s from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 140 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 PEUGEOT 406?

The average mileage for a 1996 PEUGEOT 406 is 123,050 miles, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 140 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1905cc Diesel

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Diesel1905cc30 years old140 tests123k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1905cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1905cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,857

Per month£155/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 30 years old, 77% of PEUGEOT 406s from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 140 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,050 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars116th of 252(top 46%)

Rank among PEUGEOT models495th of 726(top 68%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average+2%(75% avg)

vs PEUGEOT average-6%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,050

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 PEUGEOT 406 has 123,050 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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PEUGEOT 406 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	68%	373	142,734 mi
2003	68%	1,181	150,072 mi
2002	69%	1,132	144,648 mi
2001	70%	973	142,375 mi
2000	70%	752	140,312 mi
1999	71%	902	127,727 mi
1998	71%	783	126,345 mi
1997	73%	377	124,640 mi
1996	77%	140	123,050 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1995 · 2370cc Diesel

£2,250/year

69%

-8%

FORD FIESTA

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£1,927/year

65%

-12%

FIAT DUCATO

1998 · 1929cc Diesel

£1,727/year

71%

-6%

MERCEDES C

1997 · 2155cc Diesel

£1,900/year

81%

+4%

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About the 1996 PEUGEOT 406

The 1996 PEUGEOT 406 is a family car with a 1905cc diesel engine. 140 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 123,050 miles at 30 years old, PEUGEOT 406 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 PEUGEOT 406 Fuel Costs

The 1905cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1996 PEUGEOT 406?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

PEUGEOT 406 Reliability Trend

Older PEUGEOT 406s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1996 PEUGEOT 406

At 30 years old, the PEUGEOT 406 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 PEUGEOT 406's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 123k 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 1996 PEUGEOT 406 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
PEUGEOT 406(1996)	77%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1857
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1995)	69%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2250+£393
FORD FIESTA(1998)	65%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1927+£70
FIAT DUCATO(1998)	71%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
MERCEDES C(1997)	81%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£1900+£43

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.