Peugeot 407 SW road test reports and car reviews

Peugeot 407 SW 2005

My girlfriend purchased a Peugeot 407 SW new in 2005. It has been a wonderful car and we have loved it, but for one small thing. We seem to blow headlight bulbs about every 6 - 12 months. In Australia, these are not a cheap item and due to their position and fittings, quiet difficult to replace. I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and can shed some light on possible causes of the problem and especially how to fix it. I’m going broke keeping the headlights on!!!

Peugeot 407 SW 2005

My advice would be not to get one. The looks are fine and the space and ride comfort are good. The economy and performance of the engine are what you expect of a Peugeot diesel. So what’s the problem, it is very bad electronically, and constantly needs to go in to be reset. The garage I bought it from got sold and the new main dealer doesn’t fill me with any confidence. Services are fairly priced but as an example other repairs are expensive - clutch £1000, fuel pump £700 and sensors £200. Let me put it like this; my old Mercedes-Benz, with 120,000 miles was more reliable.

Peugeot 407 SW 2007

I had the 406 and was over the moon with it, but I now find the 407 looks good and drives well BUT... Big car on the outside and small on the inside, not enough space in the boot to put my golf clubs and trolley. Not sure what the glass roof is meant to offer me?????. And very very low to the ground. I am sure I have more scratches under the car than an old banger racing car. The seats are not as good as the 406; a bit small and hard.

Peugeot 407 SW 136 2.0 Zenith 2005

Had this car for 1 year used. Great drive and very comfortable. It is just spoilt by a few faults. I get the odd warning light come on for esp and indicator bulb faulty. Have to reset the ignition to clear. Also tyre pressure sensors are a pain have to keep tyres at about 34psi. But I think the main fault is it could do with a bit more power. I have always felt that it was probably powered by 136 French horses, you know the ones that constantly strike. I had a VW 130bhp previous and it would thrash the 407. I am therefore going to the doctor who claim the can re-map my car to 175bhp. Should cure that. All in all though no horror stories. Would buy another but probably the Coupe 407.

Peugeot 407 SW 136sw se with sat nav 2007

Brilliant car; bought new; great discount; dealer excellent. I bought the car to run as a taxi and so far have had 40,000 trouble free miles, 18,000 on front tyres, amazing. An average of 55 miles to the gallon around town, 60 on motorway. Only wish it had bigger brakes because it’s a bit quick. I will definitely have another - Viva La France :)

Peugeot 407 SW Exectutive 136hdi 2005

Disappointing vehicle from start. £24,000 for Executive SW 136hdi , top of range >>>>> That`s where it ends. 800 miles and `STOP` break failure sign appeared. Took to dealers > reset computer and modified brake pads fitted. ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD ? 6 months passed and then emission/depollution control warning light appears > dealer did not have one in stock so cannibalised car in showroom. `Clonk` on front suspension > modified mounting washers fitted. One year on ABS / ESP light on , no sat /nav working. > reset computer, new ABS unit to o/s/f. Year 2 , ABS / ESP light on again so another 60 mile journey to dealers > reset computer , new ABS to n/s/f. Reversing warning system constant `bleep` when in reverse especially when wet > cleaned out units. Every time car is washed - - same trouble. Later year 2 the ABS / ESP light on again and no sat/nav > 60 mile to dealers, reset computer and new o/s/r ABS unit. Year 3 reversing aids again `constant bleep` and sometimes not working. 3 weeks BEFORE warranty expired ABS /ESP light on again, another trip to dealers > cleared fault, reset computer. 2 weeks AFTER warranty expired ABS / ESP light on again , another 60 mile trip. This time told that it needed a new ABS unit to n/s/r and that would be approximately £130. Having argued that the fault had been reported before the expiry date was told that they would have to speak to Peugeot and would get back to me. That was 10 months ago and despite phone calls to them still no phone call received to confirm acceptance from Peugeot of payment for repairs. Needless to say I have not bought another new vehicle from them and to date am still driving with the warning light still constantly on. Have driven to Ukraine and back and with several emergency stops in the past few months. Breaks seem perfectly OK with no `ill` effects. I now know that the ABS units suffer from getting dirty so a good blast of air could do wonders. Oh! and suspension still `clonks`. Good looking car but so many niggling faults. DEALERS ? This car must be their flagship for extracting money for warranty work or vulnerable customers with no mechanical or computing knowledge. It`s a pity that the PLUS`s don`t weigh more than the `MINUS`s. Having been in the motor trade and worked on Peugeot’s since 1967 it is somewhat disappointing that today`s models have so many common faults which apparently have not been overcome despite the many submitted reports. Would I buy another one????

Peugeot 407 SW 2005

As others have said, a great car to drive:. I have a 40 mile journey to work along dual carriageway / motorway, and the car is a pleasure to drive. BUT it is marred by having had several faults (all covered by warranty, but still a PITA)... worst one, luckily only doing 5mph, the brake servo stopped... turned out to be a brake fluid leak into the servo. Also, not over-impressed with the level of customer support given by my garage... but that is probably no different from any other garage! With my constant high-speed driving, still get 44mpg in the 1.6HDi, which is nice... and can easily get over 50mpg if I go more gently!

Peugeot 407 SW 2007

Performance reports are generally fine... but beware.... in the first 6 months I’ve scraped the overhanging bonnet to bits and I’ve now smashed the fuel pipe and air coolant supply. What on? Speed bumps, drives, kerbs... in fact anything that sticks up slightly from the flat. It’s so low slung it hits everything.

Peugeot 407 SW SW 136bhp Sport pack 2005

Bought used from dealer. A really nice car potentially spoiled by niggly faults. Carries five adults with luggage in comfort and is smooth and fast on the motorway. Very good steering and fairly good handling on A and B roads. Good acceleration when needed. Braking is also very very good. Smooth and refined inside with climate control audio system and trip computing all helpful. fairly economical, can do over 50 mph on a long slowish run. Even at high motorway way speeds delivers over 40mpg. Achilles heel seems to be low level niggles - warning lights for lights alert when all is ok. Reverse is great but again false warnings. Front ball joints wore at 30,000 but extended warranty took care. Roof failed and needed re sticking but warranty again came to rescue. Particulate filter needed unblocking. You wonder what will go wrong next which takes away from the other excellent aspects of this classy looking, safe, fast, versatile car.

Responses to this review

Do you know how to reset the bulb failure lights please as mine is doing the same? - Mark Gallacher from Yorkshire