2009 Chrysler-Jeep Sebring — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 258 MOT tests, the 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Sebring recorded a 74.0% pass rate. That is 1.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, stop lamp and position lamp — ball joint alone was recorded 20 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.8% in the 30-60k band and 32.7% in the 90-120k band, a 14.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.3% in 2024, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 44 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 30 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.1% | 26 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 20 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 17 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.8% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 20 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 19 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 12 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 11 |
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 | 35.3% | 91 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 76 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.7% | 69 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.4% | 50 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.8% | 28 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 28 |
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 | 73 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 52 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 139 | 22.3% |
| Diesel | 119 | 30.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 65 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 47 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 33 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Sebring
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 (10.1% 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 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Sebrings pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 258 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Sebring MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Sebring?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2009 Sebring get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.8% in the 30-60k band to 32.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 258 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.