1991 Peugeot 405 GRDT from UK and Ireland - Comments

There was a suspicious smell inside right from the start. We first thought it was the dealer's interior perfume, but due to there dishonesty, we eventually realized the smell was in-fact the odor of a dog!

On a regular and typically expensive service, the dealer "forgot" to reconnect the turbo - and this was a Peugeot Main Dealer! This occurred only a few days before we went trekking across France in it, so luckily "we" discovered the problem before it was too late.

The rear electric window decided to stop working. Fortunately, the window was closed at the time.

The clutch snapped without warning at 66,000 miles.

It was a pain trying to close the boot. It took several forceful attempts before it locked.

The parcel shelf rattled constantly. It drove us mad!

This was the biggest financial mistake of our lives.

We just could not trust this car. The electrics were reluctant to work - especially the electric windows and central locking.

It was capable on the road, practical and very economical, but Peugeot missed out on a vital aspect of owning a car - reliability. If Nissan and Toyota can do it, why can't Peugeot?

Cannot believe this review as mine has performed perfectly and I have had no problems at all apart from wear and tear i.e. tyres and brake pads.

Have enjoyed every minute with this car.

My previous cars where a mazda and a hyundi this one beats them all.

Nope I can understand the car costing money. I had one which ended up costing me over £1200 in three months despite regular care and maintenance. Put me in some financial pressure as I was still a student at the time.

I've had mine for under a year - yes under a year, the engine number doesn't match the log book, the fuel type doesn't match the log book, clutch cable snapped, 1st & 2nd gear synchro mesh gone so replaced gearbox- couldnt get 5th or reverse so another new gearbox - now jumps out of third when decelerating, but I can live with that.

New clutch, bottom ball joints, alternator, anti roll bar bush kept falling apart & then splitting my boot rubbers, radiator, tracking re aligned twice (2 new front tyres each time) shock absorbers. oh and the front sub frame snapped when I went over a speed bump at about 20 mph. ABS fault lights are always on, tacho doesn't work despite buying a new clock & then a sensor for its birthday. uses tonnes of oil, black smoke blinds peoiple following me when turbo kicks in, what can I say this car hates me its never had any luck since the day I bought it. I'm the albatross around it's neck.

I cannot fault the French on their car manufacturing skills. My Peugeot 405 GTDT is the best car I have ever owned! I love it to pieces.

It is extremely reliable and if anything does go wrong, the it is very easy and cheap to have repaired... but probably because I live in France and there are Peugeot, Renault and Citroën dealers everywhere... even in the smallest of towns and villages!

I can never understand how people have the nerve to criticise French cars... yes their bodywork might fall to bits after 24 months on the road, but their engines run forever! Who can say that about english or american manufacturers... take any Ford, after 24 months, it sounds like it's been on the road for 24 years! Actually, many Fords fail their 'contrôle technique' (equivelant of MOT, but cars are also tested for noise levels)!!

I bought a 1994 Peugeot 405SRdT in 1998, with 95000kms. From the beginning it leaked a little bit of oil. I got used to the little stain on my driveway soon enough, but it was embarrassing when visiting other places. The dealer never managed to fix this problem.

After a period of slow driving, the turbo would produce a ridiculous amount of black smoke, causing cars behind me to turn on their fog lights. After emptying the turbo however, the car was incredible in power and torque. Great to drive, very comfortable, reasonably fuel economic, excellent for pulling a trailer.

Maintenance by the dealer was expensive, but once I had come to the point of taking out my own toolbox, I saved lots of money. Repairs/maintenance quoted by the dealer at about 750 pound, eventually cost me 250 in spares.

The biggest disappointment was reselling the car. I bought it from an official Peugeot dealer and sold it back to them 2 1/2 years later for a quarter of the price. But I guess it would have been better if I had bought back a next Peugeot. Unfortunately I did not need a car anymore, but otherwise I would not have sold this one already. I enjoyed every moment driving it.

I have difficulty to believe the first review. I am driving a 405 diesel again!

The car performs just perfectly. So far I had to change only the spare parts (resulting from wear and tear).

The story with the rattling is an "old story" with Peugeot... but you bought a Peugeot - do not expect to have a Porsche standard. You did not pay the same price either for the car, did you? Please be realistic :-)

Why do not you mention the running costs, fuel consumption on my 1991 (1905 405 GRD) is excellent with 60 miles per gallon! Compare it to the new VW Touran with a very modern engine and common rail diesel etc... cannot beat the Peugeot in fuel consumption (45-50 miles per gallon). Questions?

I have owned a few of these, and now they are getting harder to find parts may start to become a problem!

I'm running a 405 diesel estate! I bought it because it had a tow bar and worked out cheaper than having 1 fitted to my new car!!!

At under £200 MOT'd for a year I was well happy! a few things didn't work, ie alarm went crazy (new ecu at £10) back eleccy window didn't work (due to lack of use now fine!) air con dead! (2nd hand condenser and a regas £45), and new rear wheel rubber mounts! (£40 the pair) CD changer was chucked in boot! re connected and all worked!?!

So for approx £300 I got a useful workhorse, a looker it ain't, but she starts 1st time on the coldest of mornings and give bloody good mpg for her age, comparing to that of some new cars today!!

And with it having a Bosch fuel pump on it, all the green hippies are after them to burn their green fuels... ie chip fat!!! Yummy!!!

It's done 242,000 miles!!! That's nearly 1/4 a million. If that was me I'd be in the knackers yard by now LOL.

Only real bad thing is its looks are now dated, as it's only now used to tow my caravan and carrying loads I don't care, least I know some chav won't take a fancy to it!!!

Yes Peugeot do have problems with spooks in their electrics, making them do daft things, but looks like I have been lucky!

All in, for what I spent I am genuinely surprised.

Ian.