How much does a 2003 PEUGEOT 406 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 PEUGEOT 406?

The 2003 PEUGEOT 406 has a 68% MOT pass rate based on 1,181 tests in 2026. This ranks 337 out of 445 cars from 2003.

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%.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 PEUGEOT 406?

The average mileage for a 2003 PEUGEOT 406 is 150,072 miles, which is in line with the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

PEUGEOT 406 (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,181 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2230cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol2230cc23 years old1,181 tests150k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2230cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2230cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,777

Per month£231/mo

Per week£53/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the PEUGEOT brand average of 83%.

At 23 years old, 68% of PEUGEOT 406s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,181 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 150,072 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars337th of 445(top 76%)

Rank among PEUGEOT models673th of 726(top 93%)

vs national average-14%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average-4%(72% avg)

vs PEUGEOT average-15%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

150,072

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 PEUGEOT 406 has 150,072 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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 2003 sits between the two at 68%.

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

RENAULT CLIO

2005 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

67%

-1%

MERCEDES C

2005 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

73%

+5%

HONDA CR-V

2005 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,017/year

70%

+2%

AUDI A4

2005 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

+7%

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About the 2003 PEUGEOT 406

The 2003 PEUGEOT 406 is a large car with a 2230cc petrol engine. 1,181 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 76% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 150,072 miles at 23 years old, PEUGEOT 406 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2003 PEUGEOT 406 Fuel Costs

The 2230cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. 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 2003 PEUGEOT 406?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% 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 2003 PEUGEOT 406

At 23 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 2003 PEUGEOT 406's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 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 150k 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 68% 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 2003 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(2003)	68%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2777
RENAULT CLIO(2005)	67%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217-£560
MERCEDES C(2005)	73%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£760
HONDA CR-V(2005)	70%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£760
AUDI A4(2005)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£760

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.