2005 Peugeot 407 2.0L Diesel · OY55 HVO

The most recent MOT test on this 2005 Peugeot 407 took place on 22 January 2024, when the vehicle was presented with 145,241 miles on the odometer and was issued a fail. The failures centred on the power steering system, which was flagged as malfunctioning and excessively tight at first movement, alongside a near-side front anti-roll bar ball joint that was deemed excessively worn to major defect standard. An advisory was also raised for an off-side front hydraulic leak described as not excessive, together with minor advisories for both headlamp lens defects. Reviewing the broader history, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. Earlier tests in 2019 and 2020 recorded no defects at all, but from 2021 onwards advisories have accumulated around suspension components, tyres, and lighting, culminating in the substantive 2024 failure. A prospective buyer should treat this trajectory as evidence that wear-related items are catching up with the vehicle and that further rectification work on the steering and front suspension is highly likely to be required in the near term. At 21 years of age and with 145,241 recorded miles, the annual mileage of approximately 6,916 miles per year is broadly typical for a car of this vintage and suggests the vehicle has remained in regular, moderate use rather than being laid up for extended periods or subjected to excessive high-mileage accumulation. The MOT history itself only spans from 2019 to 2024, with no recorded tests prior to that, so the earlier life of the vehicle is unverified within the DVSA data set. The relatively even pattern of mileage spread across the recorded tests indicates that the car has not been standing idle for prolonged spells, which reduces the likelihood of severe brake caliper seizure or extensive underbody corrosion from inactivity, although it does mean that the typical age-related wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, and drivetrain mounts should be expected at this mileage level. The 2024 MOT outcome highlights two areas that demand close physical inspection prior to purchase. The power steering fault recorded as tight at first movement is characteristic of either a failing power steering pump, a deteriorated pump drive belt, or low or degraded hydraulic fluid, and on a test drive the buyer should listen for groaning or whining noises from the pump on initial lock-to-lock steering, feel for any inconsistent assistance, and check the reservoir for evidence of aerated or discoloured fluid. The note regarding an off-side front hydraulic leak, even though classed as not excessive, is a precursor symptom that warrants inspection of all power steering hoses, the pump shaft seal, and the rack connections for dampness. The anti-roll bar ball joint issue is similarly significant; on a road test the buyer should listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and during a static check the joint should be examined for free play, perished rubber, and cracking of the surrounding bushes, as Peugeot front suspension components of this generation are known to deteriorate progressively with age and mileage. Beyond the recorded defects, several age- and mileage-related items should be physically inspected regardless of what the MOT history alone suggests. Tyres should be examined not merely for tread depth but for sidewall cracking and perishing, which is common on a vehicle of this age even where tread remains legal. The 2021 and 2022 advisories for tyres worn close to the legal limit suggest that this car has historically been run on tyres approaching the end of their useful life, so the condition of the current set should be verified. The headlamp lens deterioration flagged as a minor in 2024 indicates UV degradation of polycarbonate lenses, which reduces light output and is likely to require refurbishment or replacement. Given the 2023 advisory noting repaired off-side front bumper damage and headlamp repair, the cosmetic and structural integrity around that corner should be examined to confirm the repairs have been carried out properly. Finally, items not captured within MOT testing should be checked in person, including the age and condition of the 12 volt battery, the state and date coding of all fluid services including brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox oil, the operation of the handbrake mechanism which is prone to seizing on older Peugeots, and a thorough examination of the underbody for any corrosion that may be developing on structural or load-bearing components given the car's advancing age.