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Chrysler PT Cruiser reliability by build year

Coverage 2000-20101 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 644 MOT tests for Chrysler PT Cruisers built around 2007 (18 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Chrysler PT Cruiser built around 2007: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Chrysler PT Cruisers built around 2007 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Chrysler PT Cruiser by number plate

Key figure

13.4% of MOT tests on Chrysler PT Cruisers built around 2007 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 8.3%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Chrysler PT Cruisers built around 2007 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Chrysler PT Cruiser's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your PT Cruiser's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

PT Cruiser PT

PT (2000-2010)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

34.5% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Likely between 30.9% and 38.2%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 644 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

See every build year for the Chrysler PT Cruiser

By age

Chrysler PT Cruiser fail rate by age

This chart combines every Chrysler PT Cruiser ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
37732.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
64434.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
44833.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
39432.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
25832.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
19528.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
13830.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
9028.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 18-year-old Chrysler PT Cruisers

These issues come from 18-year-old Chrysler PT Cruisers, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    33.9%
    Advisory: 308Fail: 80 (21% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    21.6%
    Advisory: 138Fail: 4 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    17.2%
    Advisory: 151Fail: 7 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    16.9%
    Advisory: 166Fail: 12 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    16.3%
    Advisory: 176Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 644 MOT tests on 18-year-old Chrysler PT Cruisers, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 18-year-old Chrysler PT Cruisers notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension56%
  2. Lighting + Suspension41%
  3. Brakes + Lighting34%
  4. Suspension + Tyres26%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 439 MOT tests on Chrysler PT Cruiser cars built around 2007 (18 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Chrysler PT Cruiser name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.8%
    Dangerous
    3.7%

    Lower fail rate: 22.4%, against 34.5% for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, both built around 2007.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,018 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  2. 2

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.7%, against 34.5% for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, both built around 2007.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,859 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  3. 3

    BMW 1 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.6%
    Dangerous
    7.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.1%

    Lower fail rate: 28.1%, against 34.5% for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, both built around 2007.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    9,407 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  4. 4

    Smart ForTwo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.9%, against 34.5% for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, both built around 2007.

    1,501 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the Chrysler PT Cruiser across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 644 18-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Chrysler PT Cruiser ever sold: 2,544 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2007 (18 years old): 644 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.