MOT data
Chrysler PT Cruiser MOT fail rate by age and year
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 8,190 MOT tests · Updated
At 18 years, 48.6% of Chrysler PT Cruiser MOT tests ended in a fail (adjusted to typical mileage), against 43.7% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 18 (1,947 MOT tests) [1].
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
- Brakes: fails 1.3–1.6× as often as cars the same age at 18 years, 365 of 1,947 MOT tests
- Mileage: median 83,272 miles at 18 years against 105,218 for all class 4 vehicles, 1,947 MOT tests
- Before the mileage adjustment: 47.1% of MOT tests at 18 years ended in a fail, 1,947 MOT tests
Which engine and year a car has decides which of these apply. Check the reg first.
Figures are for the model, not one car, and compare with all class 4 vehicles tested at 18 in the same test year.
- Fail rate at 18 years, typical mileage
- 48.6%
- vs 43.7% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 18
- 1,947 MOT tests
- Fail rate at 18 years, raw
- 47.1%
- vs 43.7% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 18
- 1,947 MOT tests
- Median mileage at 18 years
- 83,272 mi
- vs 105,218 mi for all class 4 vehicles
- 1,947 MOT tests
Chrysler PT Cruiser MOT fail rate by age
Each line follows the cars first used in one year across the ages they were tested at from 2022 to 2025, so a line never mixes a 2005 car with a 2015 one. 8k DVSA MOT tests in all (8,190).
At 18 years and typical mileage that is 11% more fails than all class 4 vehicles tested at 18 (1,947 MOT tests).
| Age | Raw | Typical mileage | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 45.1% | 49.9% | 43.4% |
| 17 | 45.8% | 48.7% | 43.6% |
| 18 | 47.1% | 48.6% | 43.7% |
| 19* | 47.9% | 50.1% | 43.6% |
| 20* | 46.1% | 48.2% | 43.1% |
* Over 18 years: only survivors are still tested at this age, so these rates describe the cars that are left.
Higher MOT fail rate than average: 47.1% raw · 48.6% at typical mileage, against 43.7% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 18, 1,947 MOT tests. Which years? See the full verdict
What fails on a Chrysler PT Cruiser at 18 years
1 of 11 parts fail clearly more or less often than on cars the same age, with the same direction at 3 or more ages up to 18 years and no mixed picture.
| Part | Per 100 | All class 4 | Compared | Most common fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 18.7 | 12.9 | fails 1.3–1.6× as often as cars the same age | Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (MOT fail) |
| Lights and electrics | 24.1 | 21.4 | about average for cars the same age | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (MOT fail) |
| Suspension | 22.5 | 17.2 | about average for cars the same age | Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (MOT fail) |
| Body and structure | 7.1 | 8.7 | about average for cars the same age | Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (MOT fail) |
| Steering | 6.9 | 3.9 | about average for cars the same age | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (MOT fail) |
| Tyres | 6.4 | 7.0 | about average for cars the same age | Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (MOT fail) |
Buying a Chrysler PT Cruiser? Check that exact car before the viewing.
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
Check one Chrysler PT Cruiser, not the average
The figures here describe Chrysler PT Cruiser cars as a group. A registration shows one car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.
- Check a Chrysler PT Cruiser's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- Mileage check on a Chrysler PT Cruiser The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.
- Check a Chrysler PT Cruiser for an outstanding recall Whether DVSA's MOT record flags an outstanding safety recall for that registration.
More Chrysler PT Cruiser data
Mileage at MOT
At 18 years, 47.1% of MOT tests ended in a fail as tested. Weighted to the mileage mix of all class 4 vehicles that age, the rate is 48.6%, so mileage explains part of the gap.
| Miles | MOT tests | Chrysler PT Cruiser | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 356 | 44.9% | 32.9% |
| 60-90k | 693 | 45.6% | 41.7% |
| 90-120k | 483 | 48.4% | 46.3% |
| 120-150k | 238 | 57.6% | 47.5% |
Chrysler PT Cruiser against similar cars at 18 years
Same class and fuel, all tested at 18 years, at typical mileage.
| Model | Fail rate | 95% range | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 48.6% | 45.5% to 51.6% | 1,947 |
| Ford Focus MOT fail rate | 44.8% | 44.5% to 45.1% | 114,624 |
| Volkswagen Golf MOT fail rate | 43.2% | 42.8% to 43.5% | 109,892 |
| Vauxhall Astra MOT fail rate | 47.1% | 46.8% to 47.5% | 89,709 |
| Honda Civic MOT fail rate | 43.2% | 42.8% to 43.6% | 62,744 |
| Audi A3 MOT fail rate | 41.1% | 40.5% to 41.6% | 40,290 |
| Toyota Corolla MOT fail rate | 40.7% | 40.2% to 41.2% | 39,864 |
| BMW 1 Series MOT fail rate | 34.5% | 33.9% to 35.1% | 27,087 |
| Peugeot 307 MOT fail rate | 52.0% | 51.4% to 52.7% | 25,972 |
Other Chrysler models
More Chrysler PT Cruiser data
Running costs
By part
- Chrysler PT Cruiser suspension problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser brakes problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser lights and electrics problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser body and structure problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser exhaust and emissions problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser seat belts and airbags problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser windscreen and wipers problems
- Chrysler PT Cruiser tyres problems
Problems, recalls and costs
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 8,190 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Cars tested at 18 years are compared only with vehicles tested at 18 years in the same year, adjusted to typical mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data.