2008 Chrysler Sebring — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,386 MOT tests, the 2008 Chrysler Sebring recorded a 73.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.9% 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 (14.1%) and suspension (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 117 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.4% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 24.3% fail against 28.5% for diesel, a 4.2-point gap across 1,386 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.9% 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 | 14.1% | 195 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 178 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 155 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 95 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 68 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 67 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 117 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 97 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 68 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 56 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 55 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 53 |
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 | 35.9% | 498 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.5% | 451 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 391 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 252 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 210 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.3% | 157 |
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 | 195 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 430 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 486 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 195 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 69 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 699 | 24.3% |
| Diesel | 687 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 467 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 345 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 283 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 162 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 129 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Sebring
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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 (11.2% 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 2008 Chrysler Sebrings pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 1,386 2008 Chrysler Sebring MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chrysler Sebring?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2008 Sebring get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,386 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.