Peugeot 407 SW (2004 – 2011) Review

Peugeot 407 SW (2004 – 2011) At A Glance

3/5

+Well equipped, Five-star crash test rating. Good value second-hand.

-Not as roomy as some rival estates. Poor result in 2007 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Insurance Groups are between 18–27
On average it achieves 93% of the official MPG figure

Peugeot is very keen to impress on the press that the 407 is a working car. 70% of 407s will sell to fleets. 75% will be diesels. The company knows a 407 can never meet aspirations fulfilled by a 3 Series or a C Class. It's a business tool, up against Mondeos, Lagunas and Vectras. And cars as business tools stand or fall on what they can offer the 40,000 mile a year man.

That's worth thinking about for a moment. At an average speed of say 50mph, 40,000 miles means 800 hours behind the wheel, which is more than thirty-three 24 hour days and almost a tenth of a whole year. So a business car has to do a lot more than simply convey its driver from place to place. It also has to be his communications centre from which he can do deals, arrange appointments and, on Britain's crowded roads, phone ahead to apologise he's going to be late.

Since, quite rightly, we're not allowed to touch our phones in the car any more, Peugeot has turned its new business car into one.

Whether you go for the small black and white screen satnav, or the full colour screen version, what you get with it is an integrated phone. Slip a SIM card into the dash, programme the system and its voice activation allows you to take or make calls on the move, or even have your text messages read out aloud to you by a synthesised voice (when The News of the World isn't listening). And that makes a huge difference to what would otherwise be down-time wasted in the car.

So now we've covered how you can use the car as your phone, and mentioned the satnav system to make sure you find your way to the next meeting, what's the car like to drive?

Peugeot 407 HDI 136 2004 Road Test

Peugeot 307 and 407 SW 2004 Road Test

 

 

 

Real MPG average for a Peugeot 407 SW (2004 – 2011)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

93%

Real MPG

28–56 mpg

MPGs submitted

128

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

Should I repair my current car or buy something newer?

"I have a 2008 Peugeot 407 SW. I bought it for towing and it proved to be an excellent tow car. I no longer tow but although old, I still love it. I know how it works (not mechanically) as it doesn't have all the electronic new fangled things which I am wary of as I think more could go wrong. I find it comfortable to drive too. As you may have realised by now, I'm an aged female! My problem is, I have been told that the dual mass fly wheel is worn and needs replacing with clutch. I know it's going to be expensive ...possibly more that the value of the car, for which I've had various valuations ranging from £750 to £1800. So my question is, is it worth having it done or should I just, reluctantly, go for a newer car?"
What you decide to do next depends on two things: how much money you have to spend and what kind of condition your Peugeot is currently in. Other than the flywheel issue, if it is in good condition and is regularly serviced, there is no reason why it cannot continue to give you many more years of loyal service. Clutches, and flywheels to a lesser extent, are considered consumable parts, so eventually they will wear out. The cost of replacing both will likely cost close to £1000 or more, but once done they should last for at least another 100,000 miles. However, if you have money available to replace the car completely, you have the option of selling up and buying something younger. You could even replace it with another Peugeot 407 as it suits your needs well.
Answered by David Ross

Where can I get replacement keys for my Peugeot 407 SW?

"Can you please recommend companies who can provide replacement remote keys for my Peugeot 407 SW?"
Links to them in this directory: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/useful-websites/specialists/ Alternatively a Timpsons branch in a high street, side street or shopping mall.
Answered by Honest John

Why does my Peugeot 407 need a new clutch at just 29,700 miles?

"I purchased a new Peugeot 407 SW diesel in 2009. I put it in for its annual service at 29,700 miles in a main Peugeot dealer, and was told I needed a new clutch urgently at a cost of £900 including labour. I reluctantly told them to go ahead. I have been driving company cars for over 30 years, each one to a mileage of approximately 60,000 and have never had a clutch replaced. On a Peugeot website I found that other people have had similar problems with 407s so I contacted Peugeot to see if they would contribute to the cost as it appeared that there was an inherent problem."
Manufacturers do not warrant clutches beyond six months because it is actually possible for a driver to destroy one in 15 minutes. But usually the problem with a diesel is a fault with the dual mass flywheel. This should be warranted for the full three years of the standard warranty.
Answered by Honest John

Why does the brake fluid need changing in my Peugeot 407 SW?

"I have owned a Peugeot 407 HDI 140 SW for four years and I thoroughly enjoy the car. Servicing has always been done by the excellent local Peugeot agent. I took it in today for 50,000 interim service; told a brake fluid change "has never been done and is overdue". I queried "has never been done" because it has never been mentioned to me at any previous service. The agent said "It's not our habit not to mention things like that". I replied "It's not my habit to refuse." It was all very good-natured, and if it is necessary of course I'll have it done, but if it's overdue, why haven't they mentioned it before? "
Brake fluid can be tested for contamination and moisture content and only needs to be replaced if showing undesirable amounts of these.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions