MPV and people carrier · 2000–2017 cars
Chrysler PT Cruiser reliability
The Chrysler PT Cruiser fails 46.1% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 8,043 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chrysler PT Cruiser before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 46.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 8,043
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chrysler PT Cruiser ages
Each point is the share of Chrysler PT Cruisers of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chrysler PT Cruiser | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 45.3% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 43.5% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 47.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 48.2% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 46.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 48.6% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42.2% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 33% | 40.6% |
By year
The best and worst Chrysler PT Cruiser years
2005 cars come out best and 2006 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 312 | 43.3% | 8% more fails | 85,261 |
| 2007 PT Cruiser | 1,863 | 44.4% | 14% more fails | 75,973 |
| 2006 PT Cruiser | 1,755 | 46.9% | 16% more fails | 76,804 |
| 2005 PT Cruiser | 1,309 | 47% | 11% more fails | 89,624 |
| 2004 | 942 | 49% | 14% more fails | 95,673 |
| 2003 | 822 | 49.5% | 18% more fails | 93,730 |
| 2002 | 524 | 43.3% | 4% more fails | 93,236 |
| 2001 | 362 | 41.2% | 2% more fails | 90,982 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Chrysler PT Cruiser
Its weak spot is steering: 112% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.7%17% above avg
- Suspension21.9%43% above avg
- Brakes17.3%49% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.6%2% below avg
- Steering7.1%112% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.8%4% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.2%1% below avg
- Tyres6.1%6% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags4%71% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.47% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 2
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 4.92% of tests
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
- 3
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.86% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.26% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Position lamp not working 4.26% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.78% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.61% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 8
Service brake excessively binding 3.05% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chrysler PT Cruiser's MOT certificate most often.
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear17.13%
- Brake disc pitted or scored14.85%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive13.19%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.8%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy11.71%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion11.36%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chrysler PT Cruiser
- 1
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 2
ABS warning lamp shows a fault
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
- 3
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol69.9%
- Diesel29.7%
- LPG0.3%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Blue, Red, Black, Silver, Purple
Average engine size: 2.2 litres.
Compare
How the Chrysler PT Cruiser compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Vellfire | 11% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda Stepwagon | 23% | 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Serena | 21.3% | 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Grand Espace | 47.8% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 46.1% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Spacetourer | 21.4% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Rodius | 38.5% | 65% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Chrysler models.
Questions
Chrysler PT Cruiser questions, answered
Is the Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
On MOT results, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is below average: it fails 46.1% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 32 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Chrysler PT Cruiser MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chrysler PT Cruiser are headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.47% of tests), abs warning lamp shows a fault (4.92% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.86% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 22.7% of its tests.
Which Chrysler PT Cruiser year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (11% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2006 cars do worst (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Chrysler PT Cruiser before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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