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Chrysler PT Cruiser PT (2000-2010) reliability

At a glance

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

Chrysler PT Cruiser PTs 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.

Looking at a Chrysler PT Cruiser PT?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

13.4% of MOT tests on Chrysler PT Cruiser PTs 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 Cruiser PTs built around 2007 involves the suspension.

Chrysler PT Cruiser PT
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2000-2010HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 2,544 tests of PT Cruiser models registered 2000-2010.

About 1 in 8 PT Cruiser PT MOTs (13.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2007 (18 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 644 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 10.9% and 16.2%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 8 PT Cruiser PT MOTs (12.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2007 (18 years old).

Based on 644 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 10.5% and 15.7%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

PT fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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.

How the PT Cruiser PT compares

At each age below, see how the PT Cruiser PT holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 3,348 tests across 6 Chrysler models, built around 2007 (18 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateChrysler average
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the PT Cruiser PT.

  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 PT, 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 PT, 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 PT, 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 PT, 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.

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.

What has gone wrong on PT Cruiser PT cars built around 2007

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 119 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
87%
Emissions
33%
Steering
6%
Drivetrain
4%
Bodywork
2%

Wear items

Lighting
77%
Brakes
63%
Tyres
44%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 16% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How PT Cruiser PT cars have aged

How PT Cruiser PT cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%131517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (171 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (144 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (121 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (59 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (53 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (739 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (615 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (482 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (415 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (342 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (761 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (564 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (454 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (354 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (276 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (681 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (521 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (397 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (315 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (262 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (485 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (350 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (280 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (192 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (134 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (424 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (334 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (252 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (171 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (102 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (274 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (157 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (125 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (98 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (78 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (156 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (139 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (86 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (73 tests, 2024 data)2001
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as PT cars age

How each part holds up as PT cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car18 years19 years20 years
Suspension87%91%89%
Brakes63%69%75%
Emissions33%35%40%
Tyres44%58%56%
Lighting77%73%79%
Drivetrain4%2%12%
Bodywork2%5%9%
Steering6%9%8%
Corrosion16%14%9%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 111 to 123 cars at each age.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Chrysler PT Cruisers of this age

This list covers every Chrysler PT Cruiser built around 2007, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the PT on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Chrysler PT Cruiser PT?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the Chrysler PT Cruiser PT (2000-2010) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,544 MOT tests on Chrysler PT Cruisers first registered between 2000-2010. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.