2009 Chrysler 300 C — MOT failures & pass rate
521 MOT tests on the 2009 Chrysler 300 C are in this dataset, and 76.4% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.4% fail rate), the 2009 300 C comes out 1.7pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 15.4% of tests against 11.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), pins and bushes and position lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 300 C fails 20.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 20.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.8 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.4% | 80 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 59 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 50 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.9% | 31 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.1% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.9% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 53 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 46 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 34 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 21 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 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 | 32.8% | 171 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.5% | 164 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.8% | 103 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 73 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.6% | 45 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 38 |
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 | 60 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 121 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 140 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 88 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117 | 22.2% |
| 2022 | 114 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 102 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 98 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 90 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 300 C
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (15.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
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 300 Cs pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 521 2009 Chrysler 300 C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chrysler 300 C?
Brakes, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.3%).
Does the 2009 300 C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 521 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.