1994 Peugeot 405 GLXD 1.9 diesel

Summary:

Still the best

Faults:

Lots of wear and tear parts replaced as expected with mileage, but never any major faults or breakdowns. Keep these cars serviced on time and they return with reliability.

General Comments:

In my 48 years of motoring, this 405 I had a while ago still remains one of the most economical and reliable cars I ever had.

1.9 diesel was slow but did around 50 mpg; in the 1990's it never got any better than that.

The car was OK to drive, nothing special, but got you where you wanted to go.

Nice looking exterior. My car was bright red. Inside was nice also, comfy seats, lots of space. Large practical family vehicle.

Scrapped at 20 years old with nearly 200K on it, I say it done me well, I do miss this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2023

1994 Peugeot 405 GLXD Estate (SW) 1.9 D

Summary:

Brilliant. Get one. Becoming a retro classic

Faults:

Battery and starter motor (consumables in my opinion - it's 22 years old!!!)

General Comments:

This car is probably the best car I have owned. If I take away my snob view of it and think about what I really want from a vehicle - this car ticks all the boxes.

Bought early 2015, after looking for one for sometime, mine is not in great visual nick, but mechanically it's amazing. I bought it to dip my toe in the water with regards to 405s. I have to tell you this car is amazing, it runs on fumes (amazing MPG) and the reliability is superb. The seats are the best in any mainstream car I have owned, and it's pleasant to drive. It won't win any glamour awards, but as stated, if you want a car purely for reliability, you can't go wrong.

I have decided to buy another because of my car's beat up looks and no other reason - so I will move this one on as it has 220,000 miles on clock, yes you read it right - and it doesn't miss a beat, even starts off the key.

It's a shame Peugeot don't make cars of this quality anymore; it really is a big load lugger with brilliant reliability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2016

10th Jan 2016, 17:03

The 405 was a good car, and the 406 was pretty decent too. 407... I've heard mixed reviews, but never owned one so can't comment. However I 100% agree with your review - 90s cars rule. Take a look at the reviews on here for similar cars from that time period, Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Avensis, etc etc. Whereas any car made after the year 2000 or there about seems to have problems with injectors/filters, and so on. 70s/80s cars are a bit too old now. Cars in the last 10 years - too new. 90s - balanced, happy medium :)

10th Jan 2016, 17:27

Why worry about the looks? Keep the thing and "beat the system" - you'll probably spend in a year what most people spend in one month's finance repayments on a new car!! If it works, keep it - you said yourself it was tough to track down.

A guy near me owns a coach firm and runs these and early 406s as company hacks - they HAVE to be the old XUD (?) indirect injection unit he says though - what little you lose in ultimate MPG, you gain in refinement, simplicity and ease of maintenance.

In reply to 10th Jan 2016, 17:03

15th Mar 2017, 20:52

I totally agree with you on your '90s cars (being-best) conclusion. The Alfa Romeo 164 falls into this '90s reliability and simpler design also. It checks all the boxes. And Peugeot certainly falls squarely into this category with the 405. I have three of them: manual DL 1.9 petrol, automatic 1.9 petrol, and Mi 16 manual. I have 205,000 miles on the DL with the original clutch. Never had any significant issues; just simple maintenance. The Bosch Motronic 1.3 injection is so solid in its reliability and good gas mileage. The whole 405 design execution is simple and successful. Forget the newer more-complicated cars of the 2000s; too many issues/problems with supposed mechanical design "improvements". And, the rust issues with the '80s and '70s are a problem. Exactly right, this early '90s era car model production is the best of the sweet spot, all things considered. Keep 'em maintained and enjoy them... no matter what others say or think. ;)

3rd Apr 2023, 17:25

They were excellent cars, probably Peugeot's best.