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PEUGEOT 406 (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,132 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1749cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1749cc24 years old1,132 tests145k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1749cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1749cc

£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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 24 years old, 69% of PEUGEOT 406s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,132 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 144,648 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars297th of 403(top 74%)
Rank among PEUGEOT models647th of 726(top 89%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-4%(73% avg)
vs PEUGEOT average-14%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

144,648

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 PEUGEOT 406 has 144,648 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2002 sits between the two at 69%.

PEUGEOT 406 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200468%373142,734 mi
200368%1,181150,072 mi
200269%1,132144,648 mi
200170%973142,375 mi
200070%752140,312 mi
199971%902127,727 mi
199871%783126,345 mi
199773%377124,640 mi
199677%140123,050 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2002 PEUGEOT 406

The 2002 PEUGEOT 406 is a family car with a 1749cc petrol engine. 1,132 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 144,648 miles at 24 years old, PEUGEOT 406 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2002 PEUGEOT 406 Fuel Costs

The 1749cc 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 2002 PEUGEOT 406?

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 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 2002 PEUGEOT 406

At 24 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 2002 PEUGEOT 406's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 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 145k 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 69% 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 2002 PEUGEOT 406 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
PEUGEOT 406(2002)69%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
MINI MINI(2004)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2004)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£370
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£675
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2004)67%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£475

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.

Related Peugeot Models

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Related Guides

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