City car · 2011–2015 cars
Chrysler Ypsilon reliability
The Chrysler Ypsilon fails 36.3% of first MOT tests, 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 16,461 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chrysler Ypsilon before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 36.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 29% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 16,461
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chrysler Ypsilon ages
Each point is the share of Chrysler Ypsilons of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chrysler Ypsilon | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 30.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 35.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 36.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 38% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 37.9% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Chrysler Ypsilon years
2012 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 376 | 27.1% | 30% more fails | 43,271 |
| 2014 Ypsilon | 4,302 | 34.3% | 39% more fails | 52,082 |
| 2013 Ypsilon | 5,535 | 38% | 33% more fails | 56,776 |
| 2012 Ypsilon | 5,456 | 36.5% | 19% more fails | 62,494 |
| 2011 | 792 | 38.4% | 17% more fails | 68,742 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Chrysler Ypsilon
Its weak spot is suspension: 116% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.2%116% above avg
- Lights and electrics9.3%10% below avg
- Brakes7.9%32% above avg
- Tyres7.6%25% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%8% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.1%53% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%59% above avg
- Steering2%15% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%10% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.8% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 5.1% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.67% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.52% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.9% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Exhaust has major gas leak 1.76% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 7
Stop lamp not working 1.7% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 8
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.62% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chrysler Ypsilon's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.45%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.14%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.91%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive7.85%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak7.14%
- Shock absorber bush slightly worn4.69%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chrysler Ypsilon
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 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 typical Chrysler Ypsilon covers about 6,000 miles a year. A big gap or 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
- Petrol97.2%
- Diesel2.8%
Most common colours
Black, Red, White, Grey, Silver
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Chrysler Ypsilon compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Abarth 500 | 29.9% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo Cabriolet | 33.5% | about average for its age |
| Volkswagen Lupo | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| Daihatsu Sirion | 37.8% | about average for its age |
| Smart City Coupe | 41.1% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Amica | 43% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chrysler Ypsilon | 36.3% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Chrysler models.
Questions
Chrysler Ypsilon questions, answered
Is the Chrysler Ypsilon reliable?
On MOT results, the Chrysler Ypsilon is well below average: it fails 36.3% of first MOT tests, 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 36 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Chrysler Ypsilon MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chrysler Ypsilon are coil spring fractured or broken (6.8% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (5.1% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.67% of tests). By area, suspension fails 19.2% of its tests.
Which Chrysler Ypsilon year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (39% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Chrysler Ypsilon do a year?
A typical Chrysler Ypsilon covers about 6,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Chrysler Ypsilon 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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