Peugeot 406 D8
The Peugeot 406 (D8/D9) was built from 1995 to 2004 as a four-door saloon, a five-door estate and a two-door coupe. The early petrol range uses the 1.8 16v (XU7JP4) and the high-output naturally aspirated 2.0 16v (XU10J4R) also documented in this contour's 306, with the 1.9 TD (XUD9TE) diesel alongside them. After the 1999 facelift, the range moved to the 2.0 16v (EW10A, shared with the 307) and added the range-topping 3.0 V6 (ES9J4S) with an automatic gearbox, plus a 2.2 HDi (DW12TED4) diesel.
The 2.2 HDi has a timing-drive design worth understanding before you inspect it: this engine uses a belt for the main timing drive plus a separate small chain between the camshafts, so a proper inspection needs to cover both, not just the belt. Listen at warm idle for a rattle distinct from normal diesel injector noise, and ask whether both the belt and the inter-camshaft chain have been inspected or serviced. The 2.0 16v (XU10J4R) follows the same cam-timing-after-belt-work check documented for that engine in the 306, and the later EW10A follows the same reliability-record check documented for the 307.
To judge a specific 406, confirm which body and which era — pre- or post-1999-facelift — you are looking at, since engine availability differs. Get a full fault-code read across all control units and keep the printout, and have a franchised dealer run the VIN to check for any open manufacturer actions.
Known issues
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Engines & reliability
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Pre-purchase checklist
- ☐This is a high-output naturally aspirated engine with tight valve-to-piston clearance at TDC — ask for documentation of exactly when the timing belt was last replaced and by whom, since incorrect cam timing on this family is a documented cause of bent valves