2006 Dodge Caliber — MOT failures & pass rate
1,955 MOT tests on the 2006 Dodge Caliber are in this dataset, and 68.4% of them passed. That is 4.3 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (22.2%) and suspension (20.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, ball joint and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 293 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.8% versus 24.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.9pp more often than petrol ones (32.9% vs 31.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.3% in 2021 to 30.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 434 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.3% | 396 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.6% | 149 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 145 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.8% | 133 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.8% | 132 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 293 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 188 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 186 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 123 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 118 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 111 |
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 | 45.4% | 888 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.6% | 540 |
| 3 | Other defects | 27.3% | 534 |
| 4 | Brakes | 27.3% | 534 |
| 5 | Steering | 12.7% | 249 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 221 |
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 | 187 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 587 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 717 | 34.2% |
| 120-150k | 327 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 110 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,295 | 31.0% |
| Diesel | 660 | 32.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 708 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 458 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 351 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 260 | 33.1% |
| 2025 | 178 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Caliber
On a 2006 Caliber, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.3% 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.
- Visibility (7.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Calibers pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 1,955 2006 Dodge Caliber MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Dodge Caliber?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by suspension (20.3%).
Does the 2006 Caliber get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,955 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.