2005 Chrysler-Jeep 300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 519 MOT tests, the 2005 Chrysler-Jeep 300 recorded a 78.0% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2005 300 comes out 5.6pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 13.3% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), ball joint and track rod end — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 50 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.6% in the 30-60k band and 31.7% in the 150k+ band, a 14.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.6% in 2021 to 21.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.3% | 69 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 51 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 49 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 30 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.6% | 24 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.5% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 50 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 29 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 24 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.1% | 177 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 157 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.9% | 103 |
| 4 | Steering | 12.7% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.8% | 56 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 47 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 74 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 161 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 174 | 19.5% |
| 120-150k | 57 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 434 | 21.7% |
| Diesel | 83 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 134 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 118 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 96 | 17.7% |
| 2024 | 93 | 21.5% |
| 2025 | 78 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 300
On a 2005 300, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (9.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Chrysler-Jeep 300s pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 519 2005 Chrysler-Jeep 300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Chrysler-Jeep 300?
Brakes, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.8%).
Does the 2005 300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 519 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.