Chrysler Ypsilon MOT pass rate & common failures
31,959 MOT tests on the Chrysler Ypsilon (2001–2020) give it a 75.3% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (21.1% fail rate), the Ypsilon comes out 3.6pp worse. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 7.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, coil spring and tread depth — shock absorbers alone was recorded 2,940 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.7% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.7% of the time against 25.5% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Ypsilon model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,608 | 75.1% | 24.9% | Suspension |
| 2012 | 10,617 | 75.3% | 24.7% | Suspension |
| 2013 | 10,810 | 74.4% | 25.6% | Suspension |
| 2014 | 8,212 | 76.0% | 24.0% | Suspension |
| 2015 | 709 | 80.5% | 19.5% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.2% | 4,867 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 2,324 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 1,869 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 1,834 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 1,217 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 1,000 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 953 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.5% | 473 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 2,940 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 2,288 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,060 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 888 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 802 |
| 6 | Wipers | 801 |
| 7 | Headlamp aim | 799 |
| 8 | Stop lamp | 639 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.3% | 9,357 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.2% | 7,108 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.2% | 7,089 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 3,570 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.9% | 3,499 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 3,368 |
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 | 3,688 | 18.9% |
| 30-60k | 13,848 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 10,594 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,767 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 401 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 30,936 | 24.7% |
| Diesel | 1,023 | 25.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,706 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 6,673 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 6,571 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 6,170 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 5,839 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a Chrysler Ypsilon
- Suspension (15.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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 Ypsilon?
75.3% of the 31,959 Chrysler Ypsilon MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 24.7% fail rate, across model years 2001–2020.
What does the Chrysler Ypsilon most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 15.2% of tests, then lighting & signalling (7.3%).
How much does mileage affect Ypsilon MOT results?
Fail rates run at 18.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 26.7% for 150k+, a 7.7-point difference.
Is the petrol or diesel Ypsilon more reliable at MOT time?
On MOT-testable defects the petrol fails 24.7% of the time against 25.5% for the diesel. This covers testable items only, not engine or gearbox reliability.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,959 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.