2006 Dodge Caliber Sxt A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 327 MOT tests, the 2006 Dodge Caliber Sxt A recorded a 70.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.2% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.0% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 55 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.9% in the 30-60k band and 31.6% in the 120-150k band, a 4.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 72 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.7% | 58 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.6% | 25 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 23 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.7% | 22 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.4% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 55 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 27 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 24 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 22 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 22 |
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 | 42.8% | 140 |
| 2 | Other defects | 30.6% | 100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.0% | 85 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.8% | 78 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 46 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.5% | 44 |
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 | 52 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 110 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 80 | 36.3% |
| 2023 | 63 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 51 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 35 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Caliber Sxt A
On a 2006 Caliber Sxt A, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.7% 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.
- Steering (7.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 Dodge Caliber Sxt As pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 327 2006 Dodge Caliber Sxt A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Dodge Caliber Sxt A?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.7%).
Does the 2006 Caliber Sxt A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 327 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.