Faults:

Electrical faults can be very time consuming to find, Dashboard pod is a weak spot, lights will stay on and indicator warning lights won't work if it's on the way out.

Brake warning fault message is common, often broken switch on handbrake, and seatbelt light flashes, usually connectors under the seats. Earth points need to be checked too. And beware of rear coil spring braking.

General Comments:

These cars are getting old now, so some faults should be expected, but if you buy one that has been looked after they are great reliable cars. Lots of secondhand parts available. Main dealers prices are very high. A good skilled D.I.Y person should be able to cope with most repairs, but the electrics are a nightmare if they go wrong.

Faults:

Although I've only had it for three months, I'm very impressed with this 406HDi. The only problem appears to be a slight rattle coming from somewhere in the front right suspension.

The body and paint work is smooth, straight and strong, and the interior still looks new, so I have no complaints there.

The previous elderly owner looked after it well; he followed the service guide to the book, but he also did a few pricey repairs: the double pulley, front shocks, rear link rods, water pump, and a few other minor things over the past 80,000kms or so. Other than that, no major work has been needed.

He also drove it across the length of Australia and back at least twice, and from Queensland to Victoria a few times too, so he obviously trusted it. However, this 406 is approaching its tenth birthday, and with 180,000kms, I expect things to come up and maintenance to be needed and ongoing.

Regardless of that, I hope to keep this car for as long as I can, since there's no need to replace such a comfortable, economical, stylish, unpretentious and well engineered car.

General Comments:

The 406HDi is a lovely car to drive, it's very smooth and handles softly yet precisely.

The interior is very comfortable and the ride is quiet. The Australian spec cars are very well equipped with four airbags, climate controlled air-con, fog lights, comfy arm rests for the driver and passengers, a good stereo with a CD stacker, auto wipers, alloys, folding rear seats, and a neat rear blind that's very useful under our hot summer sun.

It's a little slow to get moving, but once it is, it moves along effortlessly. Out on the open road, it's happy to cruise up and down hills in 5th all day without asking you to do anything. Nor does it use much fuel along the way. Being quite slow revving with lots of low down torque, but not much power, it's a very gentle car to drive; even the manual gearbox won't expect you to get too involved.