2006 Chrysler 300 — MOT failures & pass rate
263 MOT tests on the 2006 Chrysler 300 are in this dataset, and 78.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 5.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 14.1% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), track rod end and ball joint — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 28.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 15.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 20.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.1% | 37 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 19 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.3% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 13 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 8 |
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) | 23 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 15 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 13 |
| 4 | Parking brake performance | 10 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 9 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 8 |
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 | 32.7% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.3% | 64 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.1% | 58 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 23 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.0% | 21 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.8% | 18 |
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 | 50 | 28.0% |
| 60-90k | 58 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 70 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 10.9% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 186 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 77 | 18.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 61 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 50 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 49 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 45 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 300
On a 2006 300, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (14.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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
How many 2006 Chrysler 300s pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 263 2006 Chrysler 300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Chrysler 300?
Brakes, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.3%).
Does the 2006 300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.0% in the 30-60k band to 15.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 263 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.