2000 Peugeot 406 1.8 from Dominican Republic

Summary:

Cheap material in an expensive car

Faults:

Plastic interior molded parts started to break the second year, including air conditioner grids, dash accessories, door panels, emergency brake knob, shift knob, etc.

Many part from the engine are plastic, including injection plugs.

General Comments:

This car is comfortable and reliable, but was built with cheap materials.

Next time I will not buy the based model.

There is not many aftermarket accessories, such as wheels, that fit this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 2004

2000 Peugeot 406 2.0 HDI (90bhp) from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A great looking diesel car

Faults:

The front brake discs needed replacing due to excess judder when braking.

A noise, when going over rough ground, from the front near side. Mechanic could not find where the problem was.

The rubber seal round the boot lid seems to have started to perish. (easily replaced)

The body work seems to collect dents very easily especially the doors.

General Comments:

The car is economical and reliable and looks great.

I get easily 47mpg.

The best I have had has been 55mpg and the absolute worst has been 43mpg.

Although I had reservations about the lack of power (90bhp) at first I have found it to be more than enough for my needs. I mainly do motorway miles and it keeps up with traffic easily.

I would definitely get another.

Parts are cheap from GFS car parts and servicing is easy.

The handling is very good and the ride is superb, especially over speed bumps.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2004

2000 Peugeot 406 LX HDi 90 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good, only let down by quality of finish

Faults:

Fuel pump fuse blew in heavy traffic - AA fitted higher-rated fuse and subsequently there was some debate as to whether or not this model should have been the subject of a recall.

Driver's window got stuck in the down position in heavy rain - call-out could not fix it, dealer fitted new motor etc under 3-yr warranty.

Problems with fuel injectors soon after delivery - all 4 replaced under warranty.

New instrument binnacle after false readings from fuel gauge.

Constant problems with front brake discs warping. Replaced or skimmed many times under warranty.

General Comments:

Very spacious, huge carrying capacity.

Comfortable, especially on long journeys.

Well-appointed for LX model.

Outstanding economy, but performance with the 90bhp mediocre.

Great for towing, very stable with reasonable pulling power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st May, 2004

2000 Peugeot 406 GLX from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Could have been class leader, but fails in some important (Safety) areas.

Faults:

Rear suspension link broke. Replaced @ 43,000 miles.

Rear nearside electric window failed to operate and needed repair on three occasions.

Front brake disks have been replaced 10 times! Warped and causing brake shudder.

Rear nearside door lets in water in heavy rain.

General Comments:

Comfy car.

Lots of room.

Shocking brakes.

Too many niggles and problems that should have been put right and not have them return. The brakes saga is disgraceful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th November, 2003

22nd Nov 2003, 15:17

Hi.

Well I too have a 2000 Model Peugeot 406 HDI Estate and it's been Ultra Reliable. it's got 121,000 miles on the clock it's only ever been in for services. the HDI 90 engine is a little small for a 1.40 tonne car, but mine has been super.

4th Aug 2005, 19:31

Brake warping is usually caused by drivers keeping their foot on the brake when in a traffic jam or at those pesky traffic lights. The disks cool while you're standing still, but the section covered by the brake pads remains hot, thus the disk warps.

Try using your handbrake a little more often ;)

6th Apr 2006, 16:46

I don't have any experience with the 406 - but I am considering buying one, hence reading reviews - but I have had terrible trouble with warped brake disks on my old Mondeo. Apparently the major cause of warping is having hot brakes from either high-speed braking, or 'enthusiastic' driving and getting the disks wet by driving through puddles. The fast cooling seems to make them warp very quickly. Unavoidable really, but this is what I know.

17th Mar 2008, 09:16

The discs on the mondeo warp because they are of crap quality. The reason other discs can warp is contained in the Booth and Strattos theory of radial cooling. I hate drum brakes to death!