2002 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser passed 74.1% of its 343 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Pt Cruiser comes out 1.6pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 14.9% 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 headlamp aim, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.1% in the 30-60k band and 29.0% in the 120-150k band, a 5.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 46.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.9% | 51 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 39 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 35 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.3% | 18 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 16 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 46.1% | 158 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.9% | 130 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 74 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 54 |
| 5 | Steering | 13.7% | 47 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 45 |
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 | 79 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 130 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 276 | 25.4% |
| Diesel | 67 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 84 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 69 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 45 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 44 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Pt Cruiser
On a 2002 Pt Cruiser, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
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 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 343 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser?
Suspension, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.4%).
Does the 2002 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 30-60k band to 29.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 343 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.