2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
3,695 MOT tests on the 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are in this dataset, and 68.4% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2006 Pt Cruiser comes out 4.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests against 15.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 408 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.5% in the 0-30k band and 42.4% in the 150k+ band, a 23.9-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 31.0% of the time against 31.8% for petrol.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 42.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 713 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 576 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 493 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.3% | 194 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 179 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 177 |
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 | 408 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 344 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 293 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 245 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 235 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 216 |
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 | 42.5% | 1,570 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.9% | 1,550 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 899 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 796 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.1% | 594 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 466 |
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 | 108 | 18.5% |
| 30-60k | 780 | 29.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,578 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 867 | 34.1% |
| 120-150k | 287 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 66 | 42.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,780 | 31.8% |
| Diesel | 915 | 31.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,089 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 859 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 722 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 573 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 452 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Pt Cruiser
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% 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 (13.3% 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 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 3,695 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by suspension (15.6%).
Does the 2006 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.5% in the 0-30k band to 42.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,695 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.