Welcome to the Puginfo Peugeot 405 Section

Note:- Performance figures can be found in the 'engine' pages

The 405 was launched back in January 1988 with a massive publicity campaign under the slogan of "take your breath away" and driving scenes through fields of fire. Peugeot were launching a car to directly compete with the Vauxhall Cavalier and the Ford Sierra. However, the biggest stab in the back for the rivals was on the launch on the Diesel powered models. These were so good that the rivals could not believe it. What's more, Peugeot were fast becoming a popular brand in the UK, with the 205 already selling like hotcakes. The following year, the Estate models were launched, and it is these cars which have proved to be the more popular choice. In fact, in recent times, trying to locate a good used 405 Diesel Estate was near impossible. For that reason, this website exists, and back in 1998 when I was searching for one I conducted a lot of research on the 405 Estate and a lot of time tracking down the one I wanted. It seemed that my research would be wasted, so the website was created to share out the information to help anyone in the same position I was in.

The 405 was the UK's best selling Diesel car for many months, and a fair percentage of these were the estate models. From a midlife facelift in 1993, all 405 except the entry models came with Air-Conditioning as standard. Peugeot should not be forgotten for this, as it has practically converted the UK market in to a 'air-con as standard' market. With the 405 you got the best handling / ride comfort in its class, the best diesel models in its class, air-con as standard (later on), amazing practicality with the estate and they were all made in the UK!

So - what can possibly be better than that. Well, the 406 for a start, but later in the 405's life the other manufacturers started to catch up. The 405 was still the top car in its class until the Mondeo arrived - in 1993! Even then, the 405 was still named as the better 'drivers car'. Not much wrong with the 405 then? Well, there are a few things to watch out for, hence the content of this site.

The build quality was not good, especially the earlier pre '93 cars. Still, the 405 soldiered on until the 406 saloon was launched in 1996 which took over where the 405 left off. The 405 estate continued in production until 1997 - there are some 'R' reg ones around.

Use the menu to the left to guide you to the detailed areas of the 405 section of the Puginfo site.