Used Peugeot 406 cars for sale ...

It doesn't quite have the charisma of, say a Fiat Coupe, but its clean lines are tasteful and sleek. Once inside, though, the design is disappointing. The seating is uncomfortable, the switchgear looks cheap and the dashboard is plasticky. The control stalks are spindly, too, and only the chrome surrounds on the dials point to something other than a normal mass-produced saloon. At least, there's plenty of headroom, and you can seat two in the back with few dramas. It has a sizeable boot, too. Once you turn the key, things get better. A satisfying, yet friendly thrum at low revs turns into a healthy growl once you get over 4,000 revs. The handling is positive and there's plenty of grip around demanding corners, while the smooth suspension easily absorbs lumps and bumps.

Running Costs
Running costs depend on which model you buy. Insurance on the smaller engines falls into group 15, but the V6 is in group 18. The same goes for fuel economy: the 3.0-litre will do 30mpg if you are lucky, and the diesel could well manage 40mpg and over. Build quality on all models is dodgy. Don't be surprised if you get a few squeaks and creaks and switchgear that works irregularly. If an indicator stalk breaks, don't worry, because Peugeot has constructed more robust replacements. Cambelts on diesels need to changed every 96,000 miles and on petrols every 80,000 miles. Don't forget this is regarded as a high-performance car and you can expect a few hiccups along the way. It's a Pininfarina-styled car, and their owners have Pininfarina-style driving ambitions - with some possibly nasty damage as a result. That said, many have come from fleets, so you can pick up a well-looked after example inexpensively.

Estate
In the mid-1990s, the 406 estate was reckoned to give near-executive car levels of refinement. Other family estates have since caught up but, for the money, it remains an impressively comfortable long-haul motorway-mile cruncher. While it won't reward you like a Mondeo on a back road, it's unruffled over bad surfaces and gives a very composed drive. The four-cylinder petrol engines are pretty gutless, but the diesels are smooth, strong and relaxed. The gearboxes are slick, too. Inside, it has all the necessities, but the dashboard has a tired, 1990s look to it. Still, it's clear and simple to use and front passengers have enough room to get comfortable. It's not as roomy in the back as some rivals, but the load bay has masses of space and the rear seat splits and folds for added versatility. Check you're happy with the driver's seat before you commit. Some find it too unsupportive.

Running Costs
A 406 estate should be financially painless to buy and own. The cost of servicing is very reasonable, although maintaining the 3.0 V6 model will set you back a bit more than the rest of the range. Overall, you're looking at the same kind of money - maybe a little less - as a Ford Mondeo or Nissan Primera. Compared to servicing a Citroen C5, you'll be quids in. If unexpected repairs crop up, Peugeots are cheap to fix, according to a leading warranty company's data. They're also low on the company's list of frequent offenders, too. Diesels are dead cheap to run. The 2.0 HDi models get nearly 50 miles from a gallon on the official average, the 2.2 HDi 43.5mpg. That plummets to 25mpg for the 3.0 V6 petrol, with the other petrols giving 33-35mpg. Insurance spans group 11 (1.8 petrol and 2.0 HDi 90bhp) to a pricey group 16 for the 3.0 V6.

Saloon
The 406 is a big cruiser with a pillow-soft ride, and it combines supple springing with neat handling and steering that gives good feedback to the driver. It's very refined, too, and keeps out most road noise even at speed, although the engines do get a bit vocal when they're worked hard. The later 2.0 HDi diesel is quieter than the older 1.9 turbo. There are no great complaints about the driving position, with steering that adjusts for rake but not reach, and a driver’s seat that adjusts for height. The dash is well laid out and attractive, too. There's plenty of room up front, too, while the rear has good space with a full three-point belt for each passenger - only lanky types may find the rear a bit cramped. Last, but not least, the good sized boot can be extended by dropping the rear seats, and loading is reasonably easy. The 406 gained only two stars for occupant safety when first tested by Euro NCAP, but this improved to three when Peugeot submitted a revised model in 2001.

Running Costs
Repair costs are a bit of a worry. Suspension, brakes, cooling systems and electrics are all concerns as the car's mileage mounts. Fortunately, the 406s are pretty conventional, and most repairs are quick and moderately priced. Servicing for S-reg cars and onwards moved to 20,000 miles/two-year intervals for petrols, which cuts costs, although we’d recommend you also budget for a yearly oil change and brake check. Diesels are on 12,000 miles/one-year service cycles. Insurance groups are fair: most models fall in 10-12, although 2.0 turbos are group 14 and the 3.0 V6 is a punishing group 18. The diesels return 40mpg or better on a run, the 1.8 and 2.0 petrols achieve 30mpg, but the 3.0 will struggle to reach 30mpg.