2006 Dodge Ram — MOT failures & pass rate
376 MOT tests on the 2006 Dodge Ram are in this dataset, and 84.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2006 Ram comes out 11.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.8%) and brakes (7.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), ball joint and rear fog lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.1% in 2021 to 14.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 33 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 28 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 24 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 16 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.1% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 16 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 16 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 14 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 6 | Wipers | 9 |
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 | 21.8% | 82 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 59 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.0% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 30 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.7% | 29 |
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 | 32 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 54 | 5.6% |
| 60-90k | 86 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 17.2% |
| 120-150k | 65 | 18.5% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 16.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 304 | 16.4% |
| Diesel | 71 | 11.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 75 | 14.7% |
| 2023 | 74 | 16.2% |
| 2024 | 71 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 62 | 14.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Ram
On a 2006 Ram, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.4% 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.
- Suspension (6.4% 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.
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 Rams pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 376 2006 Dodge Ram MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Dodge Ram?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by brakes (7.4%).
Does the 2006 Ram get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 16.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 376 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.