2007 Peugeot 407 2.0L Diesel · LJ57 AAF

A clear mechanical pattern emerges across the DVSA record of this Peugeot 407, one defined by a rear coil spring corrosion issue that was first flagged in 2025 and the ongoing presence of oil leaks. The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 5 May 2026, but the test did record a continuing advisory for an engine oil leak, a minor windscreen damage note, and an advisory for a perished nearside front outer CV gaiter. The roadworthiness trend is best described as stable but with underlying wear that has not been fully resolved. Earlier in 2026 the vehicle had failed on 20 April for non-functioning offside and nearside front position lamps and for an offside front inner prop shaft joint constant velocity boot that no longer prevented ingress of dirt, demonstrating that protective gaiter integrity and basic exterior lamp function are areas requiring periodic attention. The recorded mileage of 422,704 miles against a 2007 build equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 22,248 miles, which is a notably high figure for a vehicle of this age and points to consistent, sustained use rather than periods of standing. There are no extended gaps between test dates in the recorded history, supporting the view that the car has been in regular service rather than laid up. Mechanically, this usage level typically results in greater consumption of friction materials, accelerated wear on suspension bushes, anti-roll bar components, and coil springs, and increases the likelihood of leaks developing from engine seals and gaskets. The 2024 advisory for a nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint showing slight play, combined with the 2025 advisories on both sides of the front anti-roll bar linkage and both rear coil springs, aligns with this higher mileage usage profile. For a prospective buyer, the perished nearside front outer CV gaiter recorded on the most recent test is the priority item to inspect. On a test drive, listen for a clicking or rhythmic knocking from the front of the vehicle during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and check the inner gaiter area and prop shaft joint for fresh grease contamination, as the inner boot failure recorded at the April 2026 test indicates that the drivetrain sealing on this side has been a recurring weak point. The front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, flagged on both sides in 2025 and on the nearside in 2024, should be checked for any worsening play by rocking the wheels side to side at standstill, while a road test over uneven surfaces will reveal knocking or clonking from the front end if these have deteriorated further. The rear coil spring corrosion advisories from 2025 require a physical inspection from beneath the vehicle, looking for surface pitting or cracking on the springs, particularly on the nearside rear, and any change in ride height or clonking over bumps would suggest progression of the corrosion. The persistent engine oil leak, recorded as an advisory at both 2024 and 2026 tests, is an item that warrants a thorough under-bonnet inspection and a check for fresh oil residue on the lower engine and sump area, as well as monitoring of oil level between services. The 2024 advisory noting corrosion at the offside seat belt anchorage in the sill panel area should also prompt a close structural inspection of both sill sections for bubbling, perforation, or previous repair work, as sill corrosion on a high-mileage 407 can progress quickly once initiated. Lamp function should be verified personally, given the dual position lamp failures recorded in April 2026, and the lower windscreen damage should be checked to ensure it has not worsened to a point where it now falls within the driver's direct line of sight. Given the very high recorded mileage and the recurring advisories on suspension, gaiters, and engine sealing, a thorough pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be strongly advisable.