2006 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 760 MOT tests, the 2006 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser recorded a 67.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 5.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.3% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 92 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.0% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 154 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 106 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.0% | 106 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.2% | 47 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 42 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 39 |
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 | 92 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 67 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 54 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 51 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 50 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 46 |
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 | 45.7% | 347 |
| 2 | Brakes | 44.2% | 336 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.5% | 224 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.8% | 181 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 23.5% | 179 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.1% | 115 |
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 | 159 | 27.0% |
| 60-90k | 303 | 36.3% |
| 90-120k | 176 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 89 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 573 | 31.6% |
| Diesel | 187 | 35.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 221 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 183 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 148 | 33.8% |
| 2024 | 120 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 88 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Pt Cruiser
On a 2006 Pt Cruiser, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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.
- Brakes (14.0% 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 2006 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 760 2006 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2006 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.0% in the 30-60k band to 36.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 760 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.