2003 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
459 MOT tests on the 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser are in this dataset, and 68.6% of them passed. That is 3.7 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (17.0%) and lighting & signalling (15.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — headlamp alone was recorded 51 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.5% in the 30-60k band and 31.9% in the 120-150k band, a 7.4-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 48.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.9% in 2021 to 25.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.0% | 78 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 71 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.7% | 49 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 34 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.3% | 29 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 51 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 32 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 32 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 29 |
| 6 | Wipers | 21 |
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 | 48.8% | 224 |
| 2 | Brakes | 43.6% | 200 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.5% | 126 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.5% | 94 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 93 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 79 |
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 | 53 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 160 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 126 | 35.7% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 371 | 32.4% |
| Diesel | 88 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 153 | 35.9% |
| 2022 | 102 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 80 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 70 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 54 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Pt Cruiser
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 17.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (17.0% 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 (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.7% 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 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 459 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser?
Suspension, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.5%).
Does the 2003 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.5% in the 30-60k band to 31.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 459 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.