Diesel Peugeot 406: MOT pass rate

61.9% of diesel Peugeot 406s pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,055 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 152,928.

Diesel against the other Peugeot 406 versions

Fuel Pass rate Tests
Diesel 61.9% 2,055
Petrol 62.6% 992
All Peugeot 40662.2%3,049

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Peugeot 406 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 62.6%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points below the 62.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Peugeot 406 had covered 152,928 miles at test, against 112,658 for the petrol. That is very high mileage. Clutches, dual-mass flywheels and head gaskets have usually been through at least one repair by this point, so ask for evidence rather than assume the car is original everywhere.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Peugeot 406 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Other Peugeot 406 fuel types

All Peugeot 406 MOT data · Every model