2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 691 MOT tests, the 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser recorded a 72.4% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.9%, so the 2001 Pt Cruiser sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.2%) 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, headlamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 67 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.1% in the 30-60k band and 32.7% in the 150k+ band, a 8.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.0% in 2021 to 24.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 105 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.9% | 103 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 81 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.2% | 43 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 35 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 35 |
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 | 67 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 44 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 44 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 35 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 31 |
| 6 | Wipers | 30 |
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 | 44.7% | 309 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.9% | 262 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.3% | 133 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.8% | 130 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 119 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 105 |
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 | 112 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 209 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 225 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 77 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 207 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 185 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 131 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 95 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 73 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Pt Cruiser
On a 2001 Pt Cruiser, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% 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 (11.7% 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 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 691 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.9%).
Does the 2001 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 30-60k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 691 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.