2012 Chrysler Ypsilon — MOT failures & pass rate
10,617 MOT tests on the 2012 Chrysler Ypsilon are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 15.0% of all tests — 7.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, coil spring and ball joint — shock absorbers alone was recorded 858 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.1% versus 18.2%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.6% of the time against 25.0% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.0% | 1,589 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 803 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 730 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 623 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 386 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 337 |
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 | 858 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 707 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 326 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 324 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 280 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 272 |
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 | 29.4% | 3,117 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.9% | 2,640 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.5% | 2,393 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 1,315 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 1,238 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 1,229 |
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 | 834 | 18.2% |
| 30-60k | 4,179 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,015 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,240 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 186 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,993 | 24.6% |
| Diesel | 624 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,299 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 2,246 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 2,159 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 2,011 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 1,902 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Ypsilon
On a 2012 Ypsilon, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.9% 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
How many 2012 Chrysler Ypsilons pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 10,617 2012 Chrysler Ypsilon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Chrysler Ypsilon?
Suspension, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.6%).
Does the 2012 Ypsilon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,617 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.