Chrysler Pt Cruiser: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Chrysler Pt Cruiser fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 16.6 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,934 individual Chrysler Pt Cruiser tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate60.1%
UK national average76.7%
Difference-16.6 points
Tests analysed1,934
Average mileage at test88,213 miles
Average year of manufacture2005
Reliability rank1,949 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 60.1% first-time pass rate means roughly 40 in every 100 Chrysler Pt Cruisers presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average Chrysler Pt Cruiser tested had covered 88,213 miles and was built around 2005.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Chrysler Pt Cruiser bought as a repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Chrysler Pt Cruiser rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Chrysler Pt Cruisers actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Pt Cruiser

  1. A suspension component missing, likely to become detached or directional stability impaired, 3.7% of tests (57.7x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing, 3% of tests (18.74x the national rate for this defect)
  3. Warning device shows system malfunction, 4.2% of tests (13.7x the national rate for this defect)
  4. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 4.2% of tests (5.47x the national rate for this defect)
  5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 8.4% of tests (4.77x the national rate for this defect)
  6. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.8% of tests (4.61x the national rate for this defect)
  7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 3.2% of tests (4.56x the national rate for this defect)
  8. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4% of tests (4.18x the national rate for this defect)
  9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 12.1% of tests (3.29x the national rate for this defect)
  10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 3.5% of tests (2.57x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,083 DVSA-tracked Chrysler Pt Cruiser tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.89% of these flagged Chrysler Pt Cruiser defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

Chrysler Pt Cruiser pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each Chrysler Pt Cruiser year:

Chrysler Pt Cruiser by fuel type

Diesel and petrol versions of the same car fail on different things, so the fuel type moves the number:

Other Chrysler models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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Chrysler Pt Cruiser MOT pass rate badge: 60.1%

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate