A used Peugeot 405 Mi16 is worth buying when the fuel-line recall is done, the 16-valve engine has records and you have a parts plan, because Peugeot left the U.S. market after 1991 and support is thin. Wikipedia's Peugeot 405 entry says the 405 was the last Peugeot sold here, from 1988 to 1991, including the Mi16. On Nov. 5, 2026, the NHTSA recall API showed 405 campaigns that include a fuel supply line that can contact a high-voltage ignition lead and deteriorate on 1989-1991 cars (94V064000), fuel leakage beyond FMVSS 301 in a rear crash on 1989-1990 cars (89V161000), passive belt motor interference on 1989-1990 cars (89V158000) and headlight lens deterioration on 1989-1992 cars (97V038000).
Why the Mi16 is the one people hunt
The Mi16 used a twin-cam 16-valve 1.9-liter four and was the sporty U.S. 405, while DL and S trims used simpler eight-valve engines. Expect a sedan, often with a manual gearbox. Many surviving cars were enthusiast-owned, which is good, but some carry parts from European cars that do not match U.S. specs. Confirm the VIN and the trim with the window sticker or build records if possible.
The fuel-line recall comes first
A fuel line rubbing against an ignition lead is a fire risk, so 94V064000 is the campaign I would insist on seeing addressed. Look at the routing under the hood yourself. The passive belt motors on these cars are another known weak spot, and the recall paperwork can tell you whether the module was serviced. Print the VIN results from NHTSA and from our Peugeot recall check page.
Mechanical and body checks
Ask when the timing belt was done and listen for valve noise on a cold start. Check the cooling system, since overheating is hard on an aluminum head. Look under the car for rust at the rear subframe mounts, sills and spare-wheel well. Many parts must come from Europe or from salvage cars, so ask the seller what spares come with it. A pre-purchase inspection by someone who knows French cars is worth the drive.
Living with one
Owners lean on clubs and European suppliers for parts, so join one before you need it. Budget for longer repair times and keep the car garaged if you can, since trim and rubber seals are hard to replace.
When to walk away
- No proof on the 94V064000 fuel-line recall.
- Overheating, milky oil or a weeping head gasket.
- Rust at the rear subframe mounts.
- A trim claim the VIN does not support.
Questions to ask the seller
- Is this a true Mi16 by VIN and build records?
- When were the timing belt and water pump last changed?
- What spare parts come with the car?
- Has the title ever been branded or reissued?
Reading the history on a decades-old car
Do not expect a long service log. Records from the 1970s and 1980s were often never reported, so the report matters most for title brands, odometer readings at title transfers and registration gaps by state. A car that moved from a coastal or rust-belt state to a dry one may have been retitled; look at the dates and ask why. An approved NMVTIS check adds salvage and junk records from insurers and recyclers. If the odometer readings go backward or the car shows as exempt, ask for the paper trail before you price it. Our odometer discrepancy guide explains what those entries mean.
Private-sale paperwork
Most cars like this sell privately. Make sure the name on the title matches the seller ID, the VIN on the title matches the plate and the stamping on the car, and any old lien is released in writing. Our lien release guide walks through that step. Pay by a traceable method, get a dated bill of sale, and do not accept an open title signed by someone who is not present.
How to price it
Clean, documented Mi16 cars are scarce, so price them against recent enthusiast sales, not against generic old sedans. Subtract the cost of belt service, recall work and a specialist inspection.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
On a car this old, read the report for title brands and odometer readings first; service entries are often thin.
Sources
- NHTSA recall lookup (API checked Nov. 5, 2026)
- Peugeot 405, Wikipedia
- NMVTIS
- Service records gap guide
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