Chrysler Neon MOT pass rate & common failures
The Chrysler Neon appears in 1,111 MOT tests spanning model years 1996–2014, and 73.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.1%, so the Neon sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and suspension (11.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 77 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.9% in the 0-30k band and 33.7% in the 120-150k band, a 16.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.1% in 2021 to 19.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Neon model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 49 | 65.3% | 34.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 39 | 79.5% | 20.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 276 | 73.2% | 26.8% | Suspension |
| 2001 | 232 | 77.6% | 22.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 185 | 71.9% | 28.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 240 | 71.3% | 28.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 44 | 63.6% | 36.4% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 160 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 127 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 100 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 70 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 66 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 51 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 44 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.0% | 33 |
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 | 77 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 65 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 54 |
| 4 | Wipers | 50 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 49 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 48 |
| 7 | Brake pads | 35 |
| 8 | Stop lamp | 34 |
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 | 35.6% | 396 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.1% | 335 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 277 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.4% | 271 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 210 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 185 |
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 | 71 | 16.9% |
| 30-60k | 326 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 393 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 211 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 83 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 392 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 260 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 192 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 158 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 109 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a Chrysler Neon
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 (9.0% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Chrysler Neon?
73.3% of the 1,111 Chrysler Neon MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 26.7% fail rate, across model years 1996–2014.
What does the Chrysler Neon most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, then suspension (11.4%).
How much does mileage affect Neon MOT results?
Fail rates run at 16.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 33.7% for 120-150k, a 16.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,111 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.