How much does a 1997 PEUGEOT 406 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 PEUGEOT 406?

The 1997 PEUGEOT 406 has a 73% MOT pass rate based on 377 tests in 2026. This ranks 186 out of 320 cars from 1997.

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 (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 PEUGEOT 406 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of PEUGEOT 406s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 377 tests. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 PEUGEOT 406?

The average mileage for a 1997 PEUGEOT 406 is 124,640 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 377 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2946cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Petrol2946cc29 years old377 tests125k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2946cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2946cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,577

Per month£215/mo

Per week£50/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

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 29 years old, 73% of PEUGEOT 406s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 377 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 124,640 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars186th of 320(top 58%)

Rank among PEUGEOT models562th of 726(top 77%)

vs national average-9%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-2%(75% avg)

vs PEUGEOT average-10%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

124,640

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 PEUGEOT 406 has 124,640 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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Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1996 model with a 77% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1997 sits between the two at 73%.

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

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-6%

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+5%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+5%

PORSCHE 911

1999 · 3387cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

+14%

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About the 1997 PEUGEOT 406

The 1997 PEUGEOT 406 is a large car with a 2946cc petrol engine. 377 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 124,640 miles at 29 years old, PEUGEOT 406 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 PEUGEOT 406 Fuel Costs

The 2946cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 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 406?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% 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 1997 PEUGEOT 406

At 29 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 77%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 PEUGEOT 406'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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 125k 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 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(1997)	73%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2577
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£20
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£180
PORSCHE 911(1999)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£330

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.