2004 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser passed 71.0% of its 445 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Pt Cruiser comes out 1.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.9%) and suspension (16.6%) 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 45 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 29.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.5% in 2021 to 25.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 75 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 74 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.6% | 47 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 26 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.8% | 26 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 45 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 32 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 27 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 26 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
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 | 43.8% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.4% | 171 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.0% | 107 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 70 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 60 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 57 |
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 | 97 | 29.9% |
| 60-90k | 132 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 114 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 56 | 35.7% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 270 | 29.3% |
| Diesel | 175 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 112 | 33.0% |
| 2023 | 87 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 66 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 51 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Pt Cruiser
On a 2004 Pt Cruiser, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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.
- Brakes (10.6% 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 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 445 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2004 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.9% in the 30-60k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 445 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.