Verdict
The Chrysler PT Cruiser passes its MOT first time on 51.2% of tests, 5.6 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (56.7%). That puts it ahead of 29% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2001 PT Cruiser does best (beats 50% of cars) and the 2006 worst (beats 18%).
Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 38%) and the 2.4 Petrol worst (beats 18%).
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 Petrol | 51.7% | Beats 18% | E |
| 2.0 Petrol | 52.3% | Beats 38% | D |
| 2.1 Diesel | 49.2% | Beats 34% | D |
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Track rod ends 3.5× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres. - Suspension arm bushes 3.0× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering. - Headlight bulbs & units 1.8× typical
Check dipped and main beam on both sides. - Headlight aim 1.5× typical
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left. - Brake performance 2.2× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal. - Brake pads 1.6× typical
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight aim | 8.3% | 5.5% | 1.5× |
| Track rod ends | 7.4% | 2.1% | 3.5× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 7.0% | 3.9% | 1.8× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 5.4% | 1.8% | 3.0× |
| Sidelights | 5.1% | 4.9% | 1.0× |
| Brake performance | 4.5% | 2.1% | 2.2× |
| ABS warning light | 4.1% | 0.8% | 4.9× |
| Suspension ball joints | 4.1% | 2.0% | 2.0× |
| Windscreen wipers | 4.0% | 3.4% | 1.2× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 3.9% | 3.6% | 1.1× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 111.4 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 82.7 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 64.0 |
| Warning device shows system malfunction | 40.2 |
| Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 39.7 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 39.6 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 35.4 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 33.0 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser2 engines52.6% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 Petrol | 53.1% | Beats 16% | E |
| 2.1 Diesel | 51.2% | Beats 31% | D |
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser2 engines49.9% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 Petrol | 50.1% | Beats 15% | E |
| 2.1 Diesel | 49.6% | Beats 30% | D |
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser2 engines51.3% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 Petrol | 52.1% | Beats 30% | D |
| 2.1 Diesel | 50.0% | Beats 38% | D |
2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser2 engines48.7% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Petrol | 49.3% | Beats 27% | D |
| 2.1 Diesel | 47.9% | Beats 36% | D |
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser2 engines49.9% passD
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Petrol | 51.4% | Beats 35% | D |
| 2.1 Diesel | 47.2% | Beats 37% | D |
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser1 engine55.0% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Petrol | 55.0% | Beats 48% | C |
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser1 engine54.7% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Petrol | 54.7% | Beats 50% | C |
FAQ
What is the Chrysler PT Cruiser MOT pass rate?
51.2% of MOT tests on the Chrysler PT Cruiser were passed first time, based on 34,330 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2001–2007. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 56.7% of the time.
Is the Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 29% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Chrysler PT Cruiser year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2001 PT Cruiser does best for its age and mileage: it beats 50% of cars on UK roads. The 2006 does worst: it beats 18%.
Which Chrysler PT Cruiser engine is best?
Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 38% of cars on UK roads. The 2.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 18%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
The most common failure items are headlight aim, track rod ends, headlight bulbs & units. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 3.5× as often.