2006 Peugeot 407 2.2L Diesel · EY56 LDA

A chronic and persistent oil leak from the centre of the engine has been flagged at every single MOT test in this record, spanning from 2017 through to the most recent pass on 28 October 2022. Classified each time under item 8.4.1 (a) (i) as not excessive, the recurrence over at least six years suggests an unresolved sealing issue that is being tolerated rather than rectified. Alongside this, the October 2022 test introduced fresh concerns including play in the offside front steering rack inner joint, movement of the nearside front brake pads within their carrier, and slight damage to the central front exhaust flexi-pipe, indicating that steering, braking, and exhaust wear items are simultaneously reaching attention points on a vehicle now approaching two decades of service. Against a twenty-year span, the recorded mileage of 189,529 equates to roughly 9,476 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical accumulation for the age. The history itself covers the period from 2017 to late 2022, and within that window the odometer readings would imply fairly steady year-on-year use rather than extended periods off the road. At this accumulated mileage, the wear budget for original-specification components such as engine mounts, suspension bushes, driveshaft gaiters, brake carriers, and steering rack internals is largely spent, and the advisories recorded align with that expectation. Two failures are noted in the record: one in October 2021 for parking brake efficiency below requirements, and a more serious one in October 2019 which recorded a dangerous tyre with exposed ply or cords on the nearside front inner, a damaged rear lower engine mounting allowing excessive movement, and a deteriorated nearside front outer CV boot. For a prospective buyer, the steering rack inner joint play flagged in 2022 is a priority item to investigate, as further deterioration typically manifests as a noticeable clonking or rattle through the steering wheel when traversing uneven surfaces, along with vague or wandering steering response. The recurring nearside front outer CV boot deterioration, recorded as a minor defect in three consecutive tests from 2018 through 2019, warrants close inspection for fresh grease contamination around the boot and any clicking or cracking noises from the front of the vehicle during full-lock slow-speed manoeuvres, which would indicate the joint itself has worn. The 2017 advisory of play in a nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint should be revisited; ball joint wear on this model commonly presents as a knock from the front suspension over bumps and as inconsistent front tyre wear, often visible as uneven feathering across the tread face. Given the 2019 dangerous failure for tyre cord exposure, the 2019 major engine mounting defect, and the 2021 parking brake failure, all areas flagged in those entries must be physically inspected regardless of any post-failure repair. The rear lower engine mounting in particular should be checked for excessive engine movement when the vehicle is put into drive and reverse, as a worn mount will permit visible shuddering or lurching under load. The parking brake should be tested on a steep incline to confirm it holds the vehicle without creep, and the handbrake mechanism should be examined for any corrosion or seized components. The persistent oil leak, even if currently deemed not excessive, should be evaluated on a warmed engine for active drips onto the undertray or driveway, and the condition of the central exhaust flexi-pipe checked for cracks or hissing under engine load. Finally, the under trays noted in 2017 as preventing through inspection of under vehicle components should be removed during any pre-purchase assessment to permit direct visual confirmation of structural integrity, subframe condition, and the true extent of the oil leak.