2000 Chrysler Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
275 MOT tests on the 2000 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.7%) and suspension (14.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 36 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 40.9% versus 26.7%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 29.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 37.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.9% | 41 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.3% | 20 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 17 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 15 |
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 | 36 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 25 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 18 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 13 |
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 | 40.4% | 111 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.4% | 111 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 60 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.1% | 47 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.0% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.5% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 101 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 92 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 44 | 40.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 58 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 51 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 48 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 40 | 37.5% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Pt Cruiser
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.9% 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 (7.3% 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.
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 2000 Chrysler Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 275 2000 Chrysler Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.9%).
Does the 2000 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.7% in the 60-90k band to 40.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 275 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.