16 you are inspecting may have been in a crash. Alternatively, the hinges on Mi16s wear quite quickly, so a car with this problem may just need new ones (not too expensive).
If the bonnet/hood looks like it is popped when it is not – This may indicate that the Mi16 you are looking at has been crashed into something (even a light knock can cause this problem).
Accident damage isn’t always a dismissal, but like rust the problem is usually bigger than it first appears. If there are any signs of serious present or past accident damage then you should move onto another 405 Mi16.
Additionally, if the owner is not forthcoming with information about the accident, then it is probably better to pass on the car (However, remember that it may have been a previous owner and the current one is not sure what happened or what got repaired).
By now, many of the 405 Mi16’s that are still on the road will have pretty tired paintwork. If the Mi16 you are looking at has been stored in a garage for the majority of its life the paint should still be good, however, it is rare to find a 30 year old car stored this way for its entire life.
The body panels on the 405 Mi16 are thin and can dent easy. Dents can be repaired, but sometimes it is expensive to do so. Remember to check the condition of the window, door, and sunroof seals to make sure they are still good. If they are not water may be able to make its way into the cabin.
Get down and inspect as many of the suspension and steering components as you possibly can – Do they look in good condition or are they well past their use by date? Is there any corrosion? Is the suspension or steering original or is it modified?
All these things are important to take note of because replacing suspension and steering components can get expensive quick. Wear in the lower arm bushes and rod ends is common, so keep an eye out for that.
While you are at the front of the car, push down on the suspension. The front suspension should be hard, and you should have to use a bit of force to push it down. If it moves easily or bounces to much on return, then the suspension is probably a bit worn.
Creaks and cracks from the rear trailing arm bearings are a sign of an incoming wallet wounding experience, so make sure they are in good working order. If you can get the car up on a jack, give each wheel a good wiggle to check for any play.
Don’t forget to check that the 405 Mi16 you are looking at drives straight without wheel corrections. If you do have to correct the steering wheel it indicates that the wheel alignment is out. Alternatively, it may be a sign of other issues such as accident damage.
While you are inspecting the suspension and steering components remember to check the condition of the brakes. The brakes on the 405 Mi16 should be more than adequate for road use, so if they feel week or spongy there is an issue.
There are a few problems with the brakes on earlier models of the Mi16. The original ABS system was ECU controlled and it relies on solenoid operated valves that distribute pressure from the ABS pump to each corner. The ABS pump and master cylinder are very expensive to replace (into the four figures as parts are very difficult to source), so be mindful if this when inspecting earlier Mi16s. Later model Mi16s feature a conventional master cylinder and vacuum servo, with the ABS as a separate system.
Remember to test the brakes on an Mi16 under both light and hard braking conditions to make sure they are working as intended. If the car pulls to one side it may have a sticking/seized caliper. This usually happens if the car has been left unused for a long period of time. Another sign of this problem is a loud thud when you pull away for the first time.
If the steering wheel judders or shakes when the brakes are applied it is usually a sign of warped discs. This often first becomes noticeable under high speed braking conditions.
Listen out for any loud bangs, knocks or other strange noises when the brakes are applied as it indicates a problem (may also be caused by another area of the car such as the suspension system).
If the wheels are curbed or scuffed it is a sign of a careless owner. While repairing wheels is doable, it is an annoying problem to get fixed and you should get a discount if you still want to purchase the car.
Remember to check If the car is fitted with the original wheels that came with it. If it is not ask the owner if they have the originals. Do this even if you like the aftermarket wheels as owning the originals will only add value to the car if you decide to sell it down the track.
The interior trim on a 405 Mi16 isn’t its biggest strength. It is plasticky and with 30 years of sunlight shining down on it expect to find the odd broken or worn trim piece. Rattles and creaks are also common, and don’t be surprised if the car has had a replacement dashboard at some point.
Wear on the seats is common and it can be a pain to get them reupholstered as the original seat material is hard to find. Remember to check that the seats are secure during both acceleration and braking as it is incredibly dangerous if they move and will be an MOT/WOF failure.
Don’t forget to check the steering wheel shifter, carpets and pedals for wear as they can indicate how far the Mi16 you are looking at has travelled. If these items are heavily worn than it may be a sign that the car’s odometer has been wound back.
When it comes to the electronics make sure that all the switches, knobs and buttons work as intended. If there are no warning lights on the dashboard when you start the Mi16 up it may indicate that the owner/seller has disconnected them to hide a problem. Don’t forget to get out of the car and check that the lights and indicators work as well.
If there is no cold air coming out of the air conditioning system do not let the owner convince you that it just needs a re-gas. While a re-gas will usually fix air conditioning issues, the problem may be something much more serious and expensive.
Research, research, research – Prior to starting your search for a 405 Mi16, figure out what specs and condition you are happy with. Do you want a low mileage example or are you happy with a car that has travelled far? Are modifications okay or do you want a stock model.
Shop around – It is always best to shop around a bit before you make a purchase. This is a bit difficult with the 405 Mi16 as there aren’t many left, but don’t limit yourself to one seller or area.
Test drive multiple cars – If you can, try and test drive a few different Mi16s. Once again this is difficult as there aren’t many left and finding one for sale will be difficult.
Adjust your attitude – Never rush into a purchase. If you are desperate to buy a car you are more likely to get ripped off. Take your time when looking for a 405 Mi16 for sale and only go for promising looking cars.
Go between sellers/dealers – If you are looking at multiple Mi16s, let the owner/seller know. This way they will know that you have other options and they may try to undercut the price.
Short distance trips are not kind to the engine in a 405 Mi16 as it does not have time to warm up properly and get lubricated.
It is incredibly important to check any vehicle’s service history and any additional paperwork that goes along with it. The service history will give you a good idea of how the Mi16 you are inspecting has been maintained. In addition to this, receipts and paperwork for modifications can help you determine whether they have been done by an experienced tuner or a bad one.
If the owner can’t or won’t let you see the service history, you should probably pass on the vehicle. A complete service history will only add value to any Peugeot 405 Mi16 and will make it easier to sell the car in the future.
Here are some things that would make as walk away from a Peugeot 405 Mi16. While you may be happy with a vehicle with these problems, we are not.
The owner is one of the most important things to think about when viewing any vehicle. You need to ask them plenty of questions when inspecting their Peugeot 405 Mi16 (however, don’t trust their answers completely).  Here are some things to watch out for.
Do they know anything about the Peugeot 405 Mi16 and the model they are selling?
If you get a bad feeling about the owner, you are better off moving onto another Mi16.
We’ve touched on it a bit, but there is a significant shortage of Peugeot 405 Mi16s out in the wild. Only 10 of them were registered in the United Kingdom in 2019; one 1.9-litre car, six 2.0-litres and three 4x4 models. In other countries, the number of Mi16s on the road is even less and in many places there are no road worthy ones at all.
The two main reasons for this Mi16 shortage are that many weren’t looked after properly, and many had their engines stripped for use in other cars/projects. Lots of 205 GTi owners “upgraded” their cars with the fantastic 1.9-litre engine to improve performance.
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September 12, 2009 (New