Chrysler 300 MOT pass rate & common failures
3,716 MOT tests on the Chrysler 300 (1992–2021) give it a 77.0% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (24.1% fail rate), the 300 comes out 1.2pp better. Its most common failure areas are brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 15.3% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), pins and bushes and track rod end — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 380 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.4% in the 0-30k band and 25.8% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.5% in 2021 to 22.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 300 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 31 | 83.9% | 16.1% | Brakes |
| 2006 | 263 | 78.0% | 22.1% | Brakes |
| 2007 | 364 | 77.2% | 22.8% | Brakes |
| 2008 | 724 | 77.9% | 22.1% | Brakes |
| 2009 | 548 | 73.7% | 26.3% | Brakes |
| 2010 | 932 | 73.2% | 26.8% | Brakes |
| 2013 | 526 | 80.2% | 19.8% | Brakes |
| 2014 | 215 | 86.1% | 14.0% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.3% | 570 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 352 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 304 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.0% | 184 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.8% | 141 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 94 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 92 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 65 |
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) | 380 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 198 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 195 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 180 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 146 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 133 |
| 7 | Service brake performance | 126 |
| 8 | Tread depth | 114 |
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 | 31.1% | 1,157 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.0% | 1,003 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.1% | 746 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.7% | 396 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.0% | 260 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.5% | 243 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 164 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 616 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 964 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 887 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 544 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 539 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,273 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 437 | 16.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 826 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 780 | 21.5% |
| 2023 | 732 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 707 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 671 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a Chrysler 300
- Brakes (15.3% 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 (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.2% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Chrysler 300?
77.0% of the 3,716 Chrysler 300 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 22.9% fail rate, across model years 1992–2021.
What does the Chrysler 300 most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 15.3% of tests, then lighting & signalling (9.5%).
How much does mileage affect 300 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 25.8% for 150k+, a 15.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,716 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.